Photo: Global Look Press
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance was monitoring developments in Russia and Belarus and was ready to defend its eastern flanks. He expressed this position at a joint press conference with the leaders of seven NATO countries in The Hague (Netherlands).
Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO forces are in place to ensure that every ally and every centimeter of the alliance's territory is protected. He also noted that both Moscow and Minsk had received “clear signals” about NATO's readiness to defend.
Speaking of the coup attempt carried out by units of the private military company Wagner on June 23-24, he noted Stoltenberg. that he considers it an “internal matter of the Russian Federation”.
When asked about the possible deployment of mercenaries in Belarus and NATO's reaction to it, Stoltenberg said it was too early to draw conclusions about the possible consequences, stressing that in in recent years, the defense of the eastern members of the alliance has been significantly strengthened.