06 June 2023 , 16:04
1114
0
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg today warned Russia the alliance would boost defences in member states if the Kremlin threatened their security.
The military coalition’s Secretary-General again hit out at Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine - and vowed solidarity would be maintained among NATO’s 31 countries.
“NATO is there to protect all allies against any threats and if we see a danger, if we see a threat, then NATO will be there - as we have been protecting the airspace and NATO territory for decades,” he said.
“We have the ability to quickly reinforce if needed.”
He warned Moscow: “The whole idea of NATO is that we are ‘one for all, all for one’ - and we do what is needed to protect all allies.”
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg issued the warning in Bratislava (AP)Former Norwegian Prime Minister Mr Stoltenberg was speaking at the end of a summit of the “Bucharest Nine” nations - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia - in Slovak capital Bratislava.
The NATO grouping, formed in the Romanian capital in 2015 following Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine a year earlier, comprises nations which were either part of the Soviet Union or the NATO rival, the Warsaw Pact.
if you can't see the poll, click here
B9 countries vowed that allies would bolster support for Kyiv when NATO leaders meet for their annual summit in Lithuanian capital Vilnius next month.
“We aim for a more robust, multi-year, and comprehensive support package for Ukraine, which will reinforce its defence capabilities also by implementing NATO standards and increasing interoperability with NATO,” they said in a statement.
“In light of Russia’s war of aggression, we will continue our strong support to bolster Ukraine’s capacity to defend itself and to relieve the humanitarian catastrophe.”
* Follow Mirror Politics on Snapchat, Tiktok, Twitter and Facebook