Russia's conduct has led to most heated security situation in Europe since 1945 - NATO Military Committee

  • 2022-01-14
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - Russia's aggressive conduct has heated up security situation in Europe to the level not seen since 1945, participants of this week's meeting of the NATO Military Committee concluded.

At this year's first meeting of the NATO Military Committee, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg informed about plans for the alliance's upcoming summit in Madrid and priorities, paying special attention to cooperation between the political and military level, LETA was told at the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF).

At the meeting, the Latvian Chief of Defense, Lieutenant General Leonids Kalnins, was appointed special representative of the NATO Military Committee, which means that if needed, he may stand in for the chairman of the NATO Military Committee and represent the alliance's chiefs of defense on specific matters. 

During the meeting, the chiefs of defense were briefed on the recent meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, and it was noted that because of Russia's aggressive conduct, the security situation in Europe has been heated up to the level not seen since 1945. 

A meeting between the Georgian and Ukrainian chiefs of defense and their NATO colleagues focused on security of the two countries, as well as the progress of their defense reforms. 

Kalnins indicated that the NATO chiefs of defense reassured Ukraine of readiness to provide comprehensive support. "This support will not only bolster Ukraine's resilience and defense capabilities, but will also send a strong deterring signal to Russia," the Latvian chief of defense believes.

The NATO Military Committee also expressed unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, praising the reform of Ukraine's defense sector. 

They also approved of Georgia's defense reforms, implementation of NATO's project for Georgia's support and Georgia's contribution to international security. 

"At a time when Euro-Atlantic security is being tested, it is essential that NATO's closest partners keep investing in their armed forces' development, which provides new opportunities for bilateral and multilateral cooperation," said Kalnins.