Russia should withdraw its forces from Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova, where they are deployed without these countries’ consent, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference.

“Russia’s military build-up in and around Ukraine continues, with more than 100,000 troops in position, and more on the way, including significant deployments in Belarus.

We call on Russia once again to immediately de-escalate the situation.NATO firmly believes that tensions and disagreements must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. Not through force or the threat of force”, he said.

According to him, NATO will not compromise on some core principles, including the right of every nation to choose its own path.

“What we have made clear is that we will not compromise on some core principles. And one of them is, of course, that every nation has the right to choose its own path. So NATO respects a country or a nation when they decide to apply for NATO membership”, he said.