NATO SUMMIT – Russia is solely responsible for the war in Ukraine, which represents a “blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter”, NATO Foreign Ministers said in Bucharest in a joint statement signed at the end of the first day of the NATO Foreign Affairs summit. NATO officials say the Russian aggression has disrupted global food supply chains and endangered the most vulnerable countries and nations. Additionally, NATO Foreign Ministers also spoke of a Russian “crusade” against Ukraine, including forced displacement, torture and “barbaric behavior” towards women and children. NATO officials have condemned all parties, including Belarus, that actively the campaign against Ukraine. NATO is not part of the Ukrainian conflict, but we pledge to support Ukraine for as long as it is necessary, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday in Bucharest in the opening of the Foreign Affairs NATO Summit in Bucharest. NATO members must support Ukraine to help this country remain a sovereign state, Jens Stoltenberg argued, adding that NATO will remain vigilant and defend every inch of its territory. The NATO official also said NATO members will supplement the assistance package for Ukraine, including non-lethal support made up of fuel and generators that will help Ukrainians cope with the aftermath of Russian missiles hitting key Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Attending the summit, president Klaus Iohannis pointed out that the Black Sea is a strategic objective for Euro-Atlantic security, and Member States must carefully monitor developments in this region. The Romanian president also said Romania remains a staunch supporter of open-doors policy and hopes that Finland and Sweden would quickly join the Alliance. This is the first such event Romania is hosting since it joined NATO and the first of its kind held in a country on the Alliance’s eastern flank since the start of the war in Ukraine. The summit comprises 3 working sessions, 2 of which will be attended by the Allies together with Sweden and Finland. Taking part in the third session will also be the foreign ministers of Bosnia – Herzegovina, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova. The war in Ukraine and the provision of long-term political and practical support from the Allies will be the main topic of discussion. NATO’s secretary general Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Bucharest on Monday, and had meetings with president Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă and Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu.
