North Atlantic Council condemns Russia's military invasion of Ukraine

The North Atlantic Council has strongly condemned Russia's unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, expressed solidarity with Ukraine and its people, and called on Russia to stop the aggression immediately and unconditionally.

According to Ukrinform, that's according to a statement published by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization following an emergency meeting held on Thursday.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia's horrifying attack on Ukraine, which is entirely unjustified and unprovoked. Our thoughts are with all those killed and injured, and with the people of Ukraine. We also condemn Belarus for enabling this attack," the document reads.

According to the statement, this renewed attack is a grave violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and is wholly contradictory to Russia's commitments in the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris, the Budapest Memorandum and the NATO-Russia Founding Act. It constitutes an act of aggression against an independent peaceful country.

"We stand with the people of Ukraine and its legitimate, democratically elected president, parliament and government. We will always maintain our full support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters. We call on Russia to immediately cease its military action and withdraw all its forces from in and around Ukraine, to fully respect international humanitarian law, and to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access and assistance to all persons in need," the statement reads.

The participants in the meeting strongly condemned Russia's decision to extend recognition to the separatist regions of eastern Ukraine. This further violates Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and contravenes the Minsk agreements, to which Russia is a signatory. Allies will never accept this illegal recognition, the statement said.

"We urge Russia in the strongest terms to turn back from the path of violence and aggression it has chosen. Russia’s leaders must bear full responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Russia will pay a very heavy economic and political price. NATO will continue to coordinate closely with relevant stakeholders and other international organizations including the EU," the statement said. 

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