NATO is ready to engage in dialogue with Russia, but not at the expense of its values or key principles, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs (JV) said on the microblogging website after the meeting of NATO foreign ministers.
Rinkevich points out that the alliance of Allies was reached at today’s meeting of NATO foreign ministers. “Effective collective defense and support for our partners are key elements in combating Russia’s aggressive behavior,” he said.
The meeting took place remotely. NATO foreign ministers discussed the increase in Russian military forces in and around Ukraine and wider European security issues.
The Foreign Ministry informed LETA that at the meeting, the member states “clearly expressed their continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, as well as a strong commitment to continue to support Ukraine’s chosen direction of Euro-Atlantic integration. It was emphasized that each country has the right to choose the direction of its security and defense policy.
The Allies agreed that the concentration of Russian military forces on the Ukrainian border was worrying and was destabilizing the security situation in Europe as a whole. At the meeting, Allies reaffirmed that NATO’s core values and principles of collective defense are firm and that collective defense and close unity underpin Alliance joint action.
At the meeting, Rinkēvičs emphasized the importance of ensuring security and defense for all members of the Alliance. What is included in the North Atlantic Treaty is not negotiable with third countries. The Minister made it clear that the Alliance must continue to strengthen its defense and deterrence efforts. Discussing issues important for European security, Rinkēvičs noted the importance of close cooperation with partners such as Finland, Sweden and the European Union.
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