BRUSSELS: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, activated the alliance’s defence plans, deployed elements of the NATO Response Force, and placed 40,000 troops on Europe’s eastern flank, along with significant air and naval assets, under direct NATO command supported by Allies’ national deployments.
At an Extraordinary Summit of 30 NATO Heads of State and Government at NATO HQ in Brussels, which was attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, it was decided that NATO would be establishing four additional multinational battle groups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia.
“ A statement issued after the summit said: “We are taking all measures and decisions to ensure the security and defence of all Allies across all domains and with a 360-degree approach. Our measures remain preventive, proportionate, and non-escalatory. We will now accelerate NATO’s transformation for a more dangerous strategic reality, including through the adoption of the next Strategic Concept in Madrid.
“In light of the gravest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades, we will also significantly strengthen our longer-term deterrence and defence posture and will further develop the full range of ready forces and capabilities necessary to maintain credible deterrence and defence. These steps will be supported by enhanced exercises with an increased focus on collective defence and interoperability.”
“We remain committed to the foundational principles underpinning European and global security, including that each nation has the right to choose its own security arrangements free from outside interference. We reaffirm our commitment to NATO’s Open Door Policy under Article 10 of the Washington Treaty.
Canada has pledged complete support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to advocate for the Ukrainian people on the world stage. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy before he left for several highlevel meetings in Europe, including with the European Union, NATO and G7 leaders, which is building on Canada’s coordinated response to Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine.
The Prime Minister and President discussed the continuing Russian military aggression and the increasing number of civilian casualties due to Russia’s bombings of civilian infrastructure. Both leaders called on Russia to stop targeting civilians, to withdraw its military forces from Ukraine, and to engage in diplomacy with Ukraine. Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s steadfast support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine, and vowed to continue to back Ukraine wholeheartedly.
Trudeau said: “Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine is an attack on democracy, international law, human rights, and freedom. Canada is working in close collaboration with our allies and partners in defending democracy against authoritarianism and standing with the Ukrainian people.”
In Brussels: Trudeau met with the President of the EU Commission Ursula Von de Leyen and they discussed issues including imposing further sanctions on Russia, providing humanitarian support, and defending democratic values – and continued coordination on these and other fronts.
In a joint statement, Trudeau and von de Leyen said: “We strongly condemn President Putin’s unjustifiable and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and stand unwavering in our support of Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are determined to defend our shared values and the rules-based international system. We are committed to the advancement of human rights, gender equality and inclusion, and the protection of fundamental freedoms. We call on Russia to stop its attacks on Ukraine immediately and unconditionally withdraw its forces and all military equipment from Ukraine and call on Belarus to stop facilitating and supporting Russia’s invasion.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said: “NATO leaders met at a critical time for our security. We agreed to strengthen our deterrence & defence for the longer-term. We also agreed to give further support to #Ukraine & to continue to impose costs on #Russia. Transatlantic solidarity remains vital.”
The summit statement said: “Russia’s war against Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe and is causing enormous human suffering and destruction. We condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. We call on President Putin to immediately stop this war and withdraw military forces from Ukraine, and call on Belarus to end its complicity, in line with the Aggression Against Ukraine Resolution adopted at the UN General Assembly of 2 March 2022.
Russia should comply with the 16 March ruling by the UN International Court of Justice and immediately suspend military operations. Russia’s attack on Ukraine threatens global security. Its assault on international norms makes the world less safe. President Putin’s escalatory rhetoric is irresponsible and destabilizing.
“Ukraine has a fundamental right to self-defence under the United Nations Charter. Since 2014, we have provided extensive support to Ukraine’s ability to exercise that right. We have trained Ukraine’s armed forces, strengthening their military capabilities and capacities and enhancing their resilience. NATO Allies have stepped up their support and will continue to provide further political and practical support to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself.
NATO Allies will also continue to provide assistance in such areas as cybersecurity and protection against threats of a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear nature. NATO Allies also provide extensive humanitarian support and are hosting millions of refugees. Foreign Ministers will discuss further our support to Ukraine when they meet in April.
“We stand in full solidarity with President Zelenskyy, the government of Ukraine, and with the brave Ukrainian citizens who are defending their homeland. We honour all those killed, injured, and displaced by Russia’s aggression, as well as their families. We reaffirm our unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders extending to its territorial waters.
NATO also said it would increase the resilience of member- societies and infrastructure to counter Russia’s malign influence.
“We are enhancing our cyber capabilities and defences, providing support to each other in the event of cyberattacks. We are ready to impose costs on those who harm us in cyberspace, and are increasing information exchange and situational awareness, enhancing civil preparedness, and strengthening our ability to respond to disinformation. We will also enhance our preparedness and readiness for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. We will take further decisions when we meet in Madrid.”
“The steps we are taking to ensure the security of our Alliance and of the Euro-Atlantic area will require adequate resourcing. Allies are substantially increasing their defence expenditures. Today, we have decided to accelerate our efforts to fulfil our commitment to the Defence Investment Pledge in its entirety. In line with our commitment in Article 3 of the Washington Treaty, we will further strengthen our individual and collective capacity to resist all forms of attack. At our meeting in Madrid, we will submit additional plans on how to meet the Pledge. Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine represents a fundamental challenge to the values and norms that have brought security and prosperity to all on the European continent,” the statement added.