NATO leaders reiterate support for territorial integrity of Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova

This was said in paragraph 14 of the Brussels Summit Communiqué, the full text of which was published on the website of the North Atlantic Alliance.

"We reiterate our support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, Georgia, and the Republic of Moldova within their internationally recognised borders. In accordance with its international commitments, we call on Russia to withdraw the forces it has stationed in all three countries without their consent," the document reads.

NATO leaders also stated that they strongly condemn and will not recognise Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea, and denounce its temporary occupation. They stressed that the human rights abuses and violations against the Crimean Tatars and members of other local communities must end.

"Russia’s recent massive military build-up and destabilising activities in and around Ukraine have further escalated tensions and undermined security. We call on Russia to reverse its military build-up and stop restricting navigation in parts of the Black Sea. We also call on Russia to stop impeding access to the Sea of Azov and Ukrainian ports,” the document says.

At the same time, the Allies commended Ukraine’s posture of restraint and diplomatic approach in this context. They seek to contribute to de-escalation.

"We are also stepping up our support to Ukraine. We call for the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements by all sides, and support the efforts of the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group. Russia, as a signatory of the Minsk Agreements, bears significant responsibility in this regard. We call on Russia to stop fuelling the conflict by providing financial and military support to the armed formations it backs in eastern Ukraine," NATO leaders said.

They expressed full support for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, and stressed the importance of ensuring its safety and full and unhindered access throughout the entire territory of Ukraine, including Crimea and the Russia-Ukraine border, in accordance with its mandate.

NATO leaders also called on Russia to reverse its recognition of the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia as independent states; to implement the EU-mediated 2008 ceasefire agreement; to end its militarisation of these regions and attempts to forcibly separate them from the rest of Georgia through the continued construction of border-like obstacles; and to cease the human rights violations, arbitrary detentions, and harassments of Georgian citizens. 

In addition, they urged Russia to engage constructively in the Transnistria Settlement Process. "We are committed to supporting the Republic of Moldova’s democratic reforms and providing assistance through our Defence and Related Security Capacity Building Initiative," they summed up.

On June 14, the NATO summit was held in Brussels to consider ways to strengthen the transatlantic partnership and develop the Alliance by 2030.

ish