NATO Defence Ministers discuss Russia, Ukraine and nuclear safety, and take stock of increased defence spending
General view of the meeting
Today (16 February 2022), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO Defence Ministers “met to address Russia’s continued military build-up in and around Ukraine,” on the first day of NATO Defence Ministers’ meetings in Brussels.
“NATO remains prepared for dialogue,” the Secretary General said. “NATO has sent concrete written proposals to Russia, on transparency, risk reduction and arms control. We have yet to receive a response. I reiterate my invitation to Russia to meet again in the NATO-Russia Council. NATO will not compromise on core principles; the right of each nation to choose its own path and our ability to protect and defend all Allies,” he pointed out. The Secretary General said that “Ministers also welcomed the progress made on burden-sharing, with the seventh consecutive year of increased defence spending by European Allies and Canada.”
Read the Secretary General’s remarks here
