NATO chief condemns Russia’s ‘reckless and unprovoked’ attack on Ukraine

 NATO chief condemns Russia’s ‘reckless and unprovoked’ attack on Ukraine NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday denounced Russia’s “reckle...

 NATO chief condemns Russia’s ‘reckless and unprovoked’ attack on Ukraine

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday denounced Russia’s “reckless and unprovoked attack” on Ukraine, warning it put “countless” lives in jeopardy.

“I strongly condemn Russia’s reckless and unprovoked attack on Ukraine, which puts at risk countless civilian lives,” Stoltenberg said in a statement.

The ambassadors of the 30-nation alliance were to hold an emergency meeting early Thursday to discuss the Russian attack, with Stoltenberg expected to give a press conference afterward, a NATO official said separately.

NATO has been a consistent sticking point with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has stedfastly attempted to block any attempt for Ukraine to join the security alliance as he has increasingly attempted to make inroads with separatist movements in the neighboring country.

“Once again, despite our repeated warnings and tireless efforts to engage in diplomacy, Russia has chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country,” Stoltenberg said in a statement.

“This is a grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security. I call on Russia to cease its military action immediately and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.

Stoltenberg added: “We stand with the people of Ukraine at this terrible time. NATO will do all it takes to protect and defend all allies.”

The statement came after Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine and air and missile strikes happened in multiple locations across the country.

Putin justified it all in a televised address, asserting that the attack was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine — a false claim the US had predicted he would make as a pretext for an invasion. He accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demands to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and for security guarantees. He also claimed that Russia does not intend to occupy Ukraine but will move to “demilitarize” it and bring those who committed crimes to justice.

Ukraine is not a member of the 30-nation Western military alliance, but its attempt to join has angered the Kremlin leader. Putin has demanded guarantees from NATO and the US that Ukraine would never be granted membership.

Within Ukraine, the move to align more with the West and come under its security umbrella has gained traction. Survey data from February 2021 shows that 56 percent of people across Ukraine support the country’s path toward NATO membership. This number was 30% in 2014, just after the annexation of Crimea.

Stoltenberg has previously said NATO has no plans to send troops to fight in Ukraine if Russia attacked and key power Washington has ruled out deploying its forces to defend the country.