Bucharest Nine: Russia is the most significant and direct threat

The B9 leaders said this in a joint statement following their meeting in Warsaw on Wednesday, February 22, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

According to the document, the participation of U.S. President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the B9 meeting "serves as a testimony to the strength of the transatlantic bond and underscores NATO's unwavering commitment to defend every inch of Allied territory." The Bucharest Nine countries will continue to help Ukraine, which is fighting the Russian aggressor, and will support Ukraine's membership of the EU and NATO.

According to the statement, a year ago, Russia ravaged peace and security in Europe by trying to subdue Ukraine by force. Kremlin's actions led to a drastic degradation of the security environment in the Euro–Atlantic area, also gravely deteriorating the security of partners.

"Russia is the most significant and direct threat to Allied security. In response to Russia's bloody war of aggression, Allies reacted decisively in a united and responsible manner," the statement reads.

According to the document, to protect their populations and territory, Allies are committed to implementing the new baseline for NATO's deterrence and defense posture and to enhancing Allied military presence in the B9 countries.

The statement adds that the member states of the Alliance agreed on forward defenses with robust in–place, multi–domain, combat–ready forces to remain credible and capable of denying any potential adversary any possible opportunity for aggression.

"In the run–up to the Vilnius summit, we will continue to reinforce our deterrence and defense posture across the entire Eastern flank from the Baltic to the Black Sea," B9 leaders said.

They added that NATO and its Article 5 commitment to defend each other stand as the backbone of Euro–Atlantic security.

The B9 leaders said they look forward to welcoming Sweden and Finland soon as NATO Allies.

In the document, the Bucharest Nine condemned Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. According to the B9 leaders, Ukraine's civilian death toll is surging due to Russia's indiscriminate missile strikes and deliberate attacks on critical infrastructure, including using the Black Sea as a launchpad.

"Those responsible for atrocities and war crimes will be held accountable. We are determined to sustain international pressure on Russia. We also condemn all those, including Belarus, who are actively facilitating Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," the statement reads.

The B9 leaders said that in line with the UN Charter and international law, Ukraine is exercising its legitimate right to defend itself against the Russian aggression to regain full control of its territory.

"We will continue to support Ukraine's efforts to this end, as long as necessary," the document said.

The leaders of the Bucharest Nine countries said "Ukraine’s future lies in Europe" and they "firmly support Ukraine's Euro–Atlantic aspirations."

The B9 leaders also expressed their support for the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, that "are most at risk of Kremlin's destabilizing and malign influence, in the East and the South of the Alliance."

The statement also says that Russia has gravely miscalculated by invading Ukraine and undermining the rules–based international order.

"We are stronger and more united than ever, reaffirming the enduring transatlantic bond among our nations. We will continue to strive for peace, security and stability in the whole of the Euro–Atlantic area," the statement said.

Warsaw on Wednesday hosted a joint meeting of the U.S. president and the heads of state of the Bucharest Nine. The B9 format includes Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic. The B9 format was launched in 2015 - after Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian Crimea.