NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has expressed support for sending international observers to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.
He said in Brussels on Thursday after meeting with Ukrainian Prime
Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk that the only way forward was a political
solution and that NATO supported international efforts aimed at finding
this way through the sending of international observers and a peaceful
dialogue.
Rasmussen reiterated the alliance’s support for the territorial
integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and the fundamental principles of
international law.
He said that the crisis in Ukraine “presents serious implications for
the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area as a whole.” He
added that the crisis was the gravest threat to European security since
the end of the Cold War.
Rasmussen also noted that the alliance intended to step up its
partnership cooperation through the NATO-Ukraine Commission to support
democratic reforms.
This will include bolstering ties with Ukraine’s political and
military leadership, strengthening efforts to build the capacity of the
Ukrainian military and more joint training and exercises, he said.
At the same time, he commended the people of Ukraine for their
determination and courage and for the restraint shown by the Ukrainian
armed forces, and reiterated that a political solution was the only way
out of the crisis.
In this regard, Rasmussen urged Russia to fulfill its international obligations and halt the military escalation in Crimea.
“We call on Russia to withdraw its forces to their bases, and to
refrain from any interference elsewhere in Ukraine. There should be no
attempt to draw new lines on the map of Europe in the 21st century,” he
said.
