World will hold Russia and Belarus accountable for aggression against Ukraine – Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this at a press conference in Brussels on Friday following the extraordinary virtual summit of NATO heads of state and government, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The Kremlin's objectives are not limited to Ukraine. Russia has demanded legally binding agreements to renounce further NATO enlargement. And to remove troops and infrastructure from Allies that joined after 1997. We are facing a new normal in European security. Where Russia openly contests the European security order. And uses force to pursue its objectives. The world will hold Russia and Belarus accountable for their actions. Russia as the aggressor. Belarus as the enabler," Stoltenberg said.

He noted that in response to Russia's massive military build-up over the past months, NATO already strengthened our deterrence and defense. "Yesterday, NATO Allies activated our defense plans. And as a result, we are deploying elements of the NATO Response Force. On land, at sea, and in the air," he said.

The United States, Canada and European Allies have deployed thousands of more troops to the eastern part of the Alliance. "We have over 100 jets at high alert operating in over 30 different locations and over 120 ships from the High North to the Mediterranean, including three strike carrier groups," the statement reads.

Stoltenberg noted that the current security crisis has only strengthened the unity of the Allies in Europe and North America, and Allies are ready to defend "every inch" of the territory of each of the Allies.

Photo: NATO