NATO condemns Putin's latest actions
NATO condemns in the strongest terms the plan to hold, in the regions of Ukraine partly controlled by the Russian armed forces, so-called referendums on the annexation of these territories to the Russian Federation. As the United Nations General Assembly reaffirmed in its resolution entitled “Aggression against Ukraine”, adopted on March 2, 2022, no territorial acquisition obtained by the threat or use of force shall be recognized as legal.
In a press release it is noted that NATO Allies do not recognize and will never recognize the illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea by Russia. The sham referendums that will be organized in the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson have no legitimacy and will constitute a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter.
Additionally, the decisions that Russia has taken, and in particular its decision to decree a partial mobilization, constitute a new escalation in the war that it is waging completely illegally against Ukraine. NATO will continue to reject Russia's irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.
NATO reaffirms it unwavering commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, as well as to its inherent right of self-defence.
NATO also noted that it is a defensive alliance and it will continue to work for peace, security and stability throughout the Euro-Atlantic area.
In response to the latest nuclear threats made by Vladimir Putin, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told CNN on Friday that Russia knows there will be 'severe consequences' if nuclear weapons are deployed in Ukraine and "I will not elaborate exactly on how we will react, that depends on what kind of weapons of mass destruction they may use," he said.
Source: NATO
