NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has rejected Russia’s “illegal and illegitimate” annexation of four regions of Ukraine. NATO chief said that the war in Ukraine at “a pivotal moment;” Putin’s land grab is “the most serious escalation” since war began. Stoltenberg told reporters Friday that “this is the largest attempted annexation of European territory by force since the Second World War” and that the “sham referendums” held in Ukraine’s occupied territory “were engineered in Moscow and imposed on Ukraine in total violation of international law.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)
Stoltenberg said that the war in Ukraine is at “a pivotal moment,” and that Putin’s decision to annex more territory marks “the most serious escalation since the start of the war.”
Asked whether Ukrainian troops should refrain from attacking the annexed regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – Stoltenberg said: “they can defend themselves, they can also continue to liberate territory.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during celebrations marking the incorporation of regions of Ukraine to join Russia, in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. The signing of the treaties making the four regions part of Russia follows the completion of the Kremlin-orchestrated “referendums.” (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Stepping back, he said, would be to “accept nuclear blackmailing.”
People gather to celebrate the incorporation of regions of Ukraine to join Russia, in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. The signing of the treaties making the four regions part of Russia follows the completion of the Kremlin-orchestrated “referendums.” The sign on construction reads: “Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Russia.” ( AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statement Friday came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties to annex occupied areas of Ukraine the he warned would protect using “all available means.”
In this photo released by Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leads a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Ukraine’s president says his country is submitting an “accelerated” application to join the NATO military alliance. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
Zelenskyy said “we are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraine’s application for accelerated accession to NATO.”
The Ukrainian leader’s NATO application adds another layer of complexity to the seven-month old conflict that rapidly escalated following Putin’s announcement of annexing parts of Ukraine.
In this photo released by Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, background centre, leads a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Ukraine’s president says his country is submitting an “accelerated” application to join the NATO military alliance. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
Zelenskyy also repeated his pledge to retake all Ukrainian territory now held by Russia which he said “feels our power.” He also said Ukraine is ready for dialogue with Moscow but “with another president of Russia.”
In this photo released by Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leads a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Ukraine’s president says his country is submitting an “accelerated” application to join the NATO military alliance. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
NATO was not immediately able to respond to questions about what Ukraine’s “accelerated” application to join the alliance would mean.
Ukraine is already considered an “aspirant country” for membership at the world’s biggest security alliance, along with Georgia. All 30 NATO allies would have to agree for the country to join.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)
NATO is wary of allowing any country to join when its borders and territory are not clearly defined. NATO’s Article 5 defense clause – the pledge that all allies must come to the aid of any ally who’s territory is under threat – would be compromised in the case of Ukraine, as its unclear what parts of the country would join.
People watch on a large screen, as Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his speech after a ceremony to sign the treaties for four regions of Ukraine to join Russia in the Moscow’s Kremlin, during a meeting in Sevastopol, Crimea, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. The signing of the treaties making the four regions part of Russia follows the completion of the Kremlin-orchestrated “referendums.” (AP Photo)
Ukraine has officially applied for membership of the European Union but member countries have warned that it would take several years for the conflict torn country to be able to join.
People gather to celebrate the incorporation of regions of Ukraine to join Russia in Sevastopol, Crimea, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. The signing of the treaties making the four regions part of Russia follows the completion of the Kremlin-orchestrated “referendums”. (AP Photo)
Thousands of people gathered in Moscow for a concert at Red Square, celebrating the illegal annexation of Ukrainian lands.
People gather to celebrate the incorporation of regions of Ukraine to join Russia, in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. The signing of the treaties making the four regions part of Russia follows the completion of the Kremlin-orchestrated “referendums.” The sign on construction reads: “Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Russia. People’s choice. Always together”.(AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)
Many waved large Russian flags as performers from Russia and occupied regions of Ukraine took to the stage to sing patriotic songs hailing Russia’s greatness.
People gather to celebrate the incorporation of regions of Ukraine to join Russia, in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. The signing of the treaties making the four regions part of Russia follows the completion of the Kremlin-orchestrated “referendums.” ( AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)
Multiple Russian media reports said that people working for state-run companies and institutions were told to attend the concert, and students were reportedly allowed to skip classes so they can attend.
People react during celebrations marking the incorporation of the Donetsk region into Russia in Donetsk, Ukraine, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. The signing of the treaties making the four regions part of Russia follows the completion of the Kremlin-orchestrated “referendums.” (AP Photo)People gather to celebrate the incorporation of regions of Ukraine to join Russia, in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. The signing of the treaties making the four regions part of Russia follows the completion of the Kremlin-orchestrated “referendums.”( AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)A motorcade with Russian national flags drive during celebrations marking the incorporation of the Donetsk region into Russia in Donetsk, Ukraine, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. The signing of the treaties making the four regions part of Russia follows the completion of the Kremlin-orchestrated “referendums.” (AP Photo)
