NATO delivers written replies to Russia on security demands

NATO has delivered its response to Russia on European security arrangements, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in remarks from Brussels.

At his news conference, Stoltenberg called for restoring diplomatic channels between the alliance and Russia that have broken down in recent years, including the restoration of Russia’s diplomatic representation to NATO in Brussels and the reopening of NATO’s office in Moscow, which Russia shut down.

Stoltenberg said NATO allies were willing to hear the Kremlin’s concerns and requests but emphasized that the West had its own demands. He called on Russia to withdraw its military forces in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, which he said were stationed in those countries “without consent.” He also called for full compliance with international conventions on biological and chemical weapons.

On the question of Ukraine’s future membership, Stoltenberg suggested there was no willingness to give Russia any say. “What we have made clear is that we will not compromise on some core principles,” he said. “This is about respecting nations and their right to choose their own path.”