The highest NATO institution, the North Atlantic Council held consultations under Article 4 of the Washington treaty in an immediate reaction to the war Russia launched on Ukraine February 24. NATO defence plans were revised and a decision taken to take further actions in order to bolster deterrence and defence throughout the Alliance. NATO measures are emphatically preventive, proportionate and non-escalatory in character.
“The military conflict in Ukraine presents a drastic twist in the geopolitical situation, therefore NATO will adopt every measure necessary to ensure the security and defence of the Allies. Additional defensive land and air capabilities are being deployed to the Baltic states and Poland. NATO forces have raised their alert levels to respond to whatever contingency might occur,” says Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.
The North Atlantic Council underscored that the Russian actions were a grave threat to the Euro-Atlantic security and the Alliance commitment to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty was ironclad – the Allies have never been as united and ready to defend each other as today.
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland requested Washington Treaty Article 4 consultations from NATO Allies. The countries make every effort to support the statehood and independence of Ukraine, Lithuania will continue supporting Ukraine in every legal way, including military assistance.
The North Atlantic Council statement on the Russian invasion into Ukraine https://bit.ly/3HnJW40
