More from the joint statement issued by the leaders of Nato, who say they are taking measures to ensure the security and defence of allies “across all domains and with a 360-degree approach”.
“We are increasing the resilience of our societies and our infrastructure to counter Russia’s malign influence,” the statement adds, including against cyber-attacks.
The leaders praised the people of Ukraine, who they say have “inspired the world with heroic resistance to Russia’s brutal war.”
The statement goes on to urge Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to “immediately stop this war and withdraw military forces from Ukraine”.
It calls on Belarus to “end its complicity” in Russia’s invasion.
Chemical weapons would ‘totally change nature of conflict’
Stoltenberg says he’s concerned because Russia is trying to accuse Ukraine and its allies of preparing to use chemical weapons – he says accusing others is a way to create a pretext to do the same themselves.
Those accusations against Ukraine and Nato allies are false.
Any use of chemical weapons will “totally change the nature of the conflict” as it would be “a blatant violation of international law” and be extremely dangerous.
It would affect not only people in Ukraine but also potentially Nato countries because of the spread of contamination.
He notes Russia has used chemical agents in the past – including in Salisbury.
This issue highlights the importance of ending the war he says, adding that “this is a dangerous situation”.
Nato agrees to strengthen eastern defences
Leaders of the Western military alliance Nato have agreed to strengthen their defences in the east in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We have activated Nato’s defence plans, deployed elements of the Nato Response Force, and placed 40,000 troops on our eastern flank,” they announced in a joint statement following talks in Brussels.
Alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg earlier said four new battlegroups will be sent to Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania.
Nato pledges more military supplies and cyber support for Ucraine
NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg spells out what Nato has agreed to do further to help Ukraine.
He says there is a “new security reality”.
On land, there will be substantially more forces in the Eastern part of the alliance at a higher state of readiness. In the air, more jets will be deployed, and at sea, there will be carrier strike groups, submarines and combat ships on a persistent basis.
And as well as more military supplies, cyber defences are being strengthened too and Nato will also help Ukraine defend itself against nuclear and biological threats.
NATO premton më shumë furnizime ushtarake dhe mbështetje kibernetike për Ukrainën./ The Geopost