Ukrinform
September 24, 2014
Situation in Ukraine to be a priority for new NATO secretary general
KYIV: The situation in Ukraine triggered by Russian aggression will be a priority for Jens Stoltenberg, who takes up the post of the NATO secretary general on October 1.
He said this in an interview with the Norwegian Telegraph Bureau (NTB).
“The seriousness of the current situation in Ukraine is indicated by the fact that military force is used to change the borders of states. Ukraine is a NATO partner and, in addition, it borders the member states of the alliance,” ITAR-TASS quoted Stoltenberg as saying.
He also noted that a return to the old format of relations between Russia and NATO was not being considered.
“The return to the former [format] is not being considered as an option. Russia has decided to stand for a more aggressive line. Therefore, we cannot, as we previously hoped, continue strengthening the partnership with Russia…The case of Norway, as a country that is a NATO member and modernize its armed forces, shows that force and firmness are the necessary conditions for dialogue with Russia,” Stoltenberg said.
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