NATO warns Russia of dire consequences of chemical use in Ukraine.
Today, Thursday, a statement issued by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization "NATO" said that Russia's attack on Ukraine is the most serious threat to European security in decades, announcing the deployment of more combat aircraft in Eastern Europe, and that the increase in the alliance's combat capability will continue in Eastern Europe.
The statement, which was read by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, said that Russia's operations in Ukraine had undermined peace in Europe, noting: We will provide Ukraine with combat equipment and others to deal with any chemical attacks. He added that any Russian use of prohibited weapons would lead to dire consequences.
He also announced the approval of 4 new military battalions, bringing the alliance to 8 combat groups, stressing that the countries of the alliance decided to increase spending on defense.
The Secretary-General of NATO emphasized by saying that the rhetoric of Russian President Vladimir Putin is escalating, irresponsible and destabilizing.
Earlier, Stoltenberg said that NATO forces would not enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine. He warned Russia of the dire consequences of the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.
He reiterated that NATO will not send troops to Ukraine, saying, "We are working to ensure that the conflict in Ukraine does not expand to neighboring countries."
Stoltenberg said Wednesday that NATO leaders were set to agree to deploy more troops to Eastern Europe to deter Russia from "invading" any member state, and send equipment to Ukraine to help it defend against chemical or biological attacks.
Speaking on the eve of a series of summits in the Belgian capital, Brussels, focusing on the war in Ukraine, Stoltenberg said four new combat groups, usually between 1,000 and 1,500 soldiers, are being formed in Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria.
He added that the forces will remain in place "as long as necessary", knowing that NATO currently has about 40,000 soldiers from several countries under his command, a number that military leaders say is ten times the number of forces there were a few months ago.
"Besides our forces in the Baltic states and Poland, this means that we will have eight multinational NATO battle groups along the eastern side, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. The alliance also has 140 warships at sea, and 130 aircraft at sea. state of high alert."
Stoltenberg told reporters that Russia's actions have become "the new normal for our security, and NATO must respond to this new reality."
Part of this new reality has been veiled threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin about the potential use of nuclear weapons, and attempts at what NATO members say are potential "fake" operations to use as a pretext to use chemical weapons in Ukraine.
Stoltenberg said NATO leaders would likely agree to send more assistance to Ukraine, including equipment, to support Ukraine in defending itself against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.
US President Joe Biden plans to attend the NATO meeting, as well as the European Union and Group of Seven summit meetings.
"Any use of chemical weapons would completely change the nature of the conflict, and would be a flagrant violation of international law with far-reaching consequences," Stoltenberg added. He declined to say whether such an attack would be a red line that might drag NATO into war.
As an alliance, NATO does not supply Ukraine with weapons. Rather, its goal is only to defend its members against the Russian attack. The 30-nation coalition refuses to send troops to Ukraine, whether for combat or peacekeeping, and has said it will not deploy aircraft to protect civilians and will not impose a no-fly zone. But member states provide arms and other assistance, individually or collectively.
The world's largest security organization is keen to avoid being drawn into a war with Russia, which has one of the world's largest nuclear arsenals. But Stoltenberg said that other than causing chaos in Ukraine, "any use of chemical weapons or biological weapons, could also have serious consequences for NATO allies."
During Thursday's summit, leaders are expected to call on China - which the West accuses of providing moral, if not military, support to Putin - to help end the war.
In this regard, Stoltenberg said, "Beijing has joined with Moscow in questioning the right of independent countries to choose their own path... China has provided Russia with political support, including through the dissemination of blatant lies and disinformation, and the allies are concerned that China could provide material support for the invasion. Russian".
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- Agencies