Editor's Note: The following is the transcript and video of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's May 11 statement and press conference ahead of the this week's NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Antalya, Turkey.
These were Stoltenberg’s remarks regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine:
“Ukraine is valued partner of NATO. And we will hold a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at this critical time when we meet in Antalya. NATO is already working closely with Ukraine. We are supporting defense reforms. Helping to set up stronger command, control, and communications. Effective cyber defense. And to rehabilitate wounded soldiers. But in eastern Ukraine we see more loss of life, a rise in ceasefire violations, obstruction of the monitors and continued Russian support for the separatists. This is a disturbing trend in the wrong direction.The full implementation of the Minsk agreements is the best way forward to a peaceful solution.And Russia has a special responsibility to make this happen. So we will also address the strategic implications of a more assertive Russia.”
Video of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s May 11 press conference in Brussels, Belgium.
Excerpts of Jens Stoltenberg’s remarks on Russia’s war against Ukraine:
“The Minsk agreement is the best possible way towards a peaceful, negotiated solution to the fighting in the crisis over eastern Ukraine. I support all efforts to implement the agreements in full. We are concerned when we see a high number of violations… We call on all parties to respect the cease-fire…when the Minsk agreement states that all heavy weapons are withdrawn from the contact line. That hasn’t happened. That is also a violation of the Minsk agreements…To obtain (a cease-fire), it is of great importance that the OSCE monitors are given full access and given the security guarantees they need. We have seen over several weeks and months continued support from Russia for the separatists, with support, with training and also with forces…We call on Russia to stop its support of separatists and do whatever they can to make sure the agreement is fully respected. In eastern Ukraine, Russia and the separatists have capabilities that enable them to launch new attacks with very little warning time. They have the capacity. The intentions I will not speculate on.”
