Russia must reverse decision to annex four regions of Ukraine: Nato

Brussels, Oct 13 (EFE).- Russia must reverse its decisions to illegally annex four regions in Ukraine and respect its territorial integrity, Nato’s secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday.

“The vote in the UN was a clear condemnation of the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories and a clear call on Russian president Putin to reverse these decisions and to respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the Nato chief told reporters ahead of the second day of Nato Defense Ministers meetings in Brussels.

The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to condemn Russia’s illegal annexation of the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson in Ukraine.

The UN resolution was supported by 143 votes in favor, five against, and 35 abstentions, including China, South Africa, India and Cuba.

Russia, Belarus, Korea, Syria and Nicaragua voted against the resolution.

“This just shows that we need to stand up for a rules-based international order for our core values,” Stoltenberg said, adding that the Alliance will stand by Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.

United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin said he “absolutely agreed” with the Nato chief.

“I absolutely agree with you on your comments on the UN action, and I couldn’t put it better,” Austin said.

“I also agree with you on the fact that we’re going to stay with our efforts to support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” the Pentagon chief added.

Nato Defense Ministers have agreed to “step up support” for Ukraine and provide more air defense systems. EFE

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