NATO leaders call on Putin to immediately stop war against Ukraine

NATO Heads of State and Government have called on Putin's Russia to immediately stop the war and withdraw military forces from Ukraine.

This is said in a statement by NATO Heads of State and Government, published on the Alliance’s website following an extraordinary NATO summit held in Brussels today, Ukrinform reports.

“Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the gravest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades.  Russia’s war against Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe and is causing enormous human suffering and destruction. We condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. We call on President Putin to immediately stop this war and withdraw military forces from Ukraine, and call on Belarus to end its complicity, in line with the Aggression Against Ukraine Resolution adopted at the UN General Assembly of 2 March 2022,” document says.    

According to NATO leaders, Ukrainians have inspired the world with heroic resistance to Russia’s brutal war of conquest.  They strongly condemned Russia’s devastating attacks on civilians, including women, children, and persons in vulnerable situations, and said they would work the rest of the international community to hold accountable those responsible for violations of humanitarian and international law, including war crimes.

The also urged Russia to allow rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access and safe passage for civilians, and to allow for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Mariupol and other besieged cities.

“We also condemn attacks against civilian infrastructure, including those endangering nuclear power plants. We will continue to counter Russia’s lies about its attack on Ukraine and expose fabricated narratives or manufactured “false flag” operations to prepare the ground for further escalation, including against the civilian population of Ukraine,” the document says.

They also stressed that any use by Russia of a chemical or biological weapon would be unacceptable and result in severe consequences. 

NATO leaders expressed full solidarity with President Zelensky, the government of Ukraine, and with the brave Ukrainian citizens who are defending their homeland.

“We honour all those killed, injured, and displaced by Russia’s aggression, as well as their families. We reaffirm our unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders extending to its territorial waters,” the document says.

The document notes that Ukraine has a fundamental right to self-defence under the United Nations Charter and NATO Allies will continue to provide further political and practical support to Ukraine.