Opening remarks
by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Defence Ministers’ session with Georgia and Ukraine
(As delivered)
Good morning and welcome to all of you.
And a very warm welcome to our colleagues from Georgia and Ukraine, Minister Burchuladze and Minister Reznikov.
A special warm welcome to both of you.
As we are meeting today, peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area is under threat.
There are signs from Moscow that diplomacy could continue.
But so far, we have not seen any sign of withdrawal or de-escalation.
Russia has yet again demonstrated its disregard for the principles underpinning European security and its ability and willingness to threaten the use force in pursuit of its objectives.
Unfortunately, I am afraid this is the new normal which we need to be prepared for.
NATO Allies have been tireless in their efforts to work towards a political and diplomatic solution.
We have done so in close coordination with both Georgia and Ukraine.
And NATO’s strong political and practical support for both Georgia and Ukraine continues.
And I would like to thank the media for joining us at the top of the meeting.
And then, we continue in a moment.
Thank you.