Good afternoon.
Russia has attacked Ukraine.
This is a brutal act of war.
Our thoughts are with the brave people of Ukraine.
Sadly, what we have warned against for months has come to pass.
Despite all calls on Russia to change course and tireless efforts to seek a diplomatic solution.
Peace in our continent has been shattered. We now have war in Europe, on a scale and of a type we thought belong to history.
We have just finished an emergency meeting of the North Atlantic Council to discuss the situation.
The Council also addressed the request by Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia to hold urgent consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty.
This is a grave moment for the security of Europe.
Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked attack on Ukraine is putting countless innocent lives at risk.
With air and missile attacks.
Ground forces and special forces from multiple directions.
Targeting military infrastructure and major urban centres.
This is a deliberate, cold-blooded and long-planned invasion.
Despite its litany of lies, denials, and disinformation,
the Kremlin’s intentions are clear for the world to see.
Russia’s leaders bear full responsibility for their reckless actions and the lives lost.
NATO Allies condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the strongest possible terms.
This is a blatant violation of international law.
An act of aggression against a sovereign, independent and peaceful country.
And a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security.
We call on Russia to immediately cease its military action.
Withdraw its forces from Ukraine.
And choose diplomacy.
We fully support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
And Ukraine’s right of self-defence.
Russia is using force to try to rewrite history.
And deny Ukraine its free and independent path.
NATO’s core task is to protect and defend all Allies.
There must be no room for miscalculation or misunderstanding.
An attack on one will be regarded as an attack on all.
This is our collective security guarantee.
Today, the North Atlantic Council decided to activate our defence plans,
At the request of our top military commander, General Tod Wolters.
