NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underlined on Tuesday 4 December the Alliance's political support for Georgia and Ukraine in the face of Russian threats. But the Secretary General has not announced any new practical support.
Thus, in front of the press, Mr Stoltenberg considered that the ministerial meeting was, in itself, a message to Russia. He added that the Alliance was determined to strengthen its ties with Georgia and Ukraine, but did not announce anything concrete in response to current threats, particularly in the Azov Sea.
The Secretary General simply recalled what the Allies were already doing, either within NATO or bilaterally, and said that the Alliance would continue to assess its presence in the region.
"In response to Russia’s aggressive actions, NATO has substantially increased its presence in the Black Sea region over the past few years. At sea, in the air and on the ground." he explained. Thus, "NATO ships routinely patrol and exercise in the Black Sea." and "This year, ships under NATO command have spent 120 days in the Black Sea, compared to 80 days the year before." the Secretary General continued, citing also NATO's sky police also by several allies in the region and the presence of a multinational brigade in Romania.
Recalling that three NATO members - Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey - were states bordering the Black Sea, Mr Stoltenberg said that there was "therefore already a lot of NATO in the Black Sea".
Last call to Russia on the INF Treaty
In a joint statement, the Allies also called on Russia to preserve the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, arguing that the situation in which the United States and other parties were in full compliance with the Treaty, unlike Russia, was "not sustainable".
"This is the last chance to return to compliance with the treaty, but we must prepare for a world outside it", Stoltenberg warned.
He said the situation would continue to be discussed by the Allies and threatened with action. "We will make our decision in a thoughtful and measured way and collectively as an Alliance", the Secretary General explained, adding that NATO must be able to defend the Allies and demonstrate credible deterrence. He refused to list potential actions, to avoid adding uncertainty and tensions. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)