NATO leaders urge Russia to withdraw troops from Ukraine - summit declaration

This is stated in the declaration of the NATO summit, which is taking place in Brussels on July 11-12, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We urge Russia to cease all political, financial, and military support to militant groups and stop intervening militarily in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and to withdraw troops, equipment, and mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine, and return to the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination," reads the document.

NATO leaders again expressed support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, as well as of Georgia and Moldova, within their internationally recognized borders, and called on Russia to withdraw its armed forces from the territories of these three countries.

The summit participants also condemned Russia's illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea, which will never be recognized.

"The discrimination against the Crimean Tatars and members of other local communities must end," the declaration says.

NATO leaders called for the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements by all sides and supported the efforts of the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group.

In this regard, the alliance supported international sanctions against Russia.

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