NATO: We expect a large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine

The NATO expects a large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine and has put in place a rapid reaction force to defend its allies, the alliance’s secretary general has said.

«Everything suggests that Russia is planning a massive attack on Ukraine“, After sending troops to the separatist provinces of Donbass, he said Jens Stoltenberg following the extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC) at the Pact’s headquarters in Brussels. This Commission is a decision-making body responsible for developing the Alliance’s relationship with the country.

It is recalled that NATO condemned Russia’s decision to extend recognition of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” and the “Luhansk People’s Republic” in eastern Ukraine as early as yesterday.

Moscow’s move on Monday night “further undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, erodes efforts to resolve the conflict and violates the Minsk Agreements to which Russia is a party.“, Said Mr. Stoltenberg.

According to the same statement, “NATO supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.” That is why “the Allies urge Russia, in the strongest possible way, to choose the path of diplomacy and to immediately reverse its massive military build-up in and around Ukraine and to withdraw its forces from Ukraine in accordance with its international obligations and commitments. “

NATO reminds, however, that in 2015, the United Nations Security CouncilRussia has reaffirmed its full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, noting that “Donetsk and Luhansk are part of Ukraine.”