NATO warned that there is a real risk of military conflict in Ukraine following the deployment of Russian troops

The NATO chief considered on Friday that Russia’s military deployment on the border with Ukraine poses a “real” risk of conflict and that the Atlantic Alliance must prepare for a failure of diplomatic efforts.

“The risk of conflict is real. Russia’s aggressive actions seriously undermine security in Europe ”, warned the secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Jens Stoltenberg , after a meeting with the organization’s foreign ministers.

Stoltenberg considered “a positive sign” Moscow’s decision to participate in a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council on Wednesday.

“Is a positive signal, because tensions are great. We will see if Russia enters into a dialogue in good faith and accepts that it touches on fundamental issues. But we must be prepared for a failure of diplomacy ”, indicated.

Previously, on Monday, the Ukrainian question will focus the discussions between Russia and U.S. They will hold a dialogue in Geneva, after Moscow presented a list of security demands for Washington and for the Atlantic alliance focused on preventing the expansion of this military pact towards its borders, excluding the accession of Ukraine.

The West regards it as an attempt to Moscow to dictate the future of the integration of new members to NATO and threatened with consequences if Russia launches a new incursion into Ukrainian territory.

Following the Geneva meeting, Russia will participate on Wednesday in a meeting with the 30 members of NATO , an encounter that has not occurred since July 2019.

“The meeting has a double objective: first to remain united and ensure that Europeans are associated with the talks on security in the European space ”, explained before the meeting this Friday the representative of the region.

The head of NATO warned in this regard that “There will be no discussion on European security without Europeans at the negotiating table.”

In the United States, the American Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said that “there will be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine.”

Washington and its allies accuse Russia of preparing an invasion after concentrating some 100,000 soldiers near the border a of Ukraine , a former Soviet republic.

Western countries are trying to dissuade Moscow from launching an attack on its neighbor , which since 2014 has been fighting pro-Russian separatists in two eastern regions border lines.

The conflict broke out after the Russian annexation of Crimea and has left more than 13,000 dead.

Stoltenberg warned Russia about any untimely action against Ukraine. “If Russia decides to use military means against its neighbor, it will be subjected to severe economic and political sanctions,” he declared.

However, he reiterated that NATO would not intervene militarily as Ukraine is not one of its members.

Still, the transatlantic organization is preparing to reinforce its military presence on its eastern flank. “We have significant capabilities” , said Stoltenberg, recalling that the alliance has a rapid reaction force of about 40,000 troops.

(With information from AFP)

Source: infobae.com