Four years ago, on June 2, 2014, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen issued a statement outlining the alliance’s position on Russian actions in and around Ukraine. Mr. Rasmussen met with a group of Russian journalists after the ambassadorial meeting of the NATO-Russia Council and before the meeting of the NATO Defense Ministers in Brussels.
The statement noted: “All NATO allies made clear that we condemn the illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea and allies will not recognize it. We commend the people of Ukraine for holding free and fair elections largely in line with international standards. They clearly voted for a united Ukraine. Their choice must be respected, and we urge Russia to engage constructively with the newly elected president [Petro Poroshenko].”
“We call on Russia to withdraw its troops fully and verifiably from Ukraine’s border, with additional international inspections. To stop the flow of arms and fighters into Ukraine. To condemn armed separatists and use its influence for the freeing of OSCE monitors taken hostage,” he continued.
Russia-NATO relations, Mr. Rasmussen added, were not good, “not because NATO wants it that way, but because of Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine. …Despite criminal violence, intimidation and provocation by pro-Russian armed gangs, the Ukrainian people have made their voice heard. And their choice must be respected. So we look forward to working with the new president of Ukraine.”
The NATO chief underscored NATO’s support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding, “…We do not and will not recognize Russia’s armed annexation of Crimea. And we strongly support Ukraine’s right to choose its own path for the future.”
NATO’s partnership with Russia has been based on commitments, and “Russia,” he said, “has not kept its pledges. Russia has threatened its neighbors and used force against them. It has not respected the territorial integrity or political independence of other countries.”
NATO has taken defensive measures, which are moderate, proportionate, transparent and fully compliant with its international commitments, Mr. Rasmussen said. “NATO’s actions are not a threat to Russia, and NATO is not a threat to Russia.” In order to improve the climate of relations, “Russia must show that it is prepared to play by the same rules as everybody else.”
The NATO-Russia Council last met in March 2017 in advance of the NATO foreign ministerial meeting in Brussels. In February 2017, the Russian foreign affairs minister said he supports the resumption of military cooperation with the NATO alliance.
In April 2014, NATO unanimously decided to suspend cooperation with Russia. “…We have decided to suspend all practical civilian and military cooperation between NATO and Russia. Our political dialogue in the NATO-Russia Council can continue, as necessary, at the foremost on this crisis.” (http://www.NATO.int.) NATO said it would review relations with Russia on an ongoing basis.
Source: “NATO secretary general outlines alliance’s position on Russia-Ukraine crisis,” The Ukrainian Weekly, June 8, 2014.