On the somber occasion marking two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Ukraine-NATO Council released a powerful statement, reinforcing its unwavering support for Ukraine and its sovereignty. The statement, delivered on a day fraught with painful reflection, stands as a testament to Ukraine’s resilience and the Council’s commitment to seeing justice served.
“Russia has failed in its efforts to undermine Ukraine’s statehood and break the resolve of the Ukrainian people. Ukraine has prevailed as a sovereign and democratic nation, liberating significant territory and pushing back Russia’s Black Sea fleet,” the statement emphasized, acknowledging the sheer determination and success of Ukrainian forces in thwarting Russia’s aggressive ambitions.
The Ukraine-NATO Council was unambiguous in placing the onus of the ongoing conflict squarely on Russian shoulders, stating that “Russia bears full responsibility for this war and must be held fully accountable.” The Council also shed light on the atrocities committed by Russian forces, citing “Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine, violations and abuse of human rights and norms of international humanitarian law, including forced deportation of children and sexual violence,” and insisted that such actions “must go unpunished.”
Further condemnation was aimed at Russia’s tactics that have ravaged Ukraine’s urban centers and critical infrastructure, some impacts of which have rippled out to allied territories. The statement reiterated the international community’s stance on Russia’s territorial claims, declaring, “We do not and will never recognise Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexations, including Crimea.”
“NATO continues to support Ukraine with urgently needed non-lethal equipment and supplies to strengthen Ukraine’s self-defence. NATO is committed to help strengthen and rebuild the Ukrainian security and defence sector, support Ukraine’s deterrence and defence in the long term, and transition Ukraine to full interoperability with NATO,” the Council noted.
Looking beyond the immediate conflict, NATO’s role in the reconstruction of Ukraine’s security and defense sector was underscored. The Alliance has pledged to aid in strengthening and rebuilding, with a long-term vision of supporting Ukraine’s deterrence and defense capabilities and facilitating the country’s full interoperability with NATO structures.
The collective voice of the Council resounded with a call to action: “Russia must immediately stop this war and completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from Ukraine in line with UN General Assembly resolutions.”
Relevant articles:
– Ukraine-NATO Council: Russia must immediately stop war
– Bureau statement on the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, NATO PA, Sat, 24 Feb 2024 07:01:38 GMT
– February 23, 2024 – Russia-Ukraine news, CNN, Sat, 24 Feb 2024 04:25:00 GMT
– Russia has failed in its efforts to undermine Ukraine’s statehood – NATO-Ukraine Council, Ukrainska Pravda, Sat, 24 Feb 2024 13:56:52 GMT