In response to the military attack by Russia on Ukraine, an extraordinary meeting of the North Atlantic Council was convened this week on the request of Latvia and other allies under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty.
Pursuant to Article 4, members of the Alliance will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened.
At the meeting, NATO Allies discussed the security situation in the region and agreed to take additional steps in accordance with the Alliance’s defence plans and crisis response mechanisms to further strengthen defence and deterrence across the Alliance. The Allies decided to activate defence plans, which also provide for deploying additional defensive land and air forces and maritime assets to the eastern part of the Alliance. The steps taken by the Alliance are preventive, proportionate and non-escalatory.
The Statement of the North Atlantic Council after the meeting condemns in the strongest possible terms the unjustified military attack by Russia on Ukraine. The involvement of Belarus was also condemned for enabling to use its territory for the attack. This attack is a grave violation of international law. It constitutes an act of aggression against an independent peaceful country.
The unity and joint measures taken by NATO Allies affirm the Alliance’s iron-clad commitment to abide by Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which envisages defence of the territories of all member states against any armed attack. NATO will move ahead with all the necessary measures to ensure security and defence for all the Allies. This was clearly reaffirmed by the NATO heads of state and government at their meeting convened in a video-conferencing format.
We welcome defence and deterrence in the region implemented by the NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group in Latvia.