Vladimer Putin would pay a high price for renewed aggression against Ukraine. Such a statement made today the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the joint press-conference with the President of Latvia Egils Levits.

“The Ukrainian people and armed forces have inspired the world with their courage. But President Putin’s assault continues. And the humanitarian impact is devastating. Many civilians have been killed or wounded. And 2 million people have fled Ukraine. This is Europe’s fastest-growing refugee crisis since the Second World War.

There are very credible reports of civilians coming under fire as they try to evacuate. Targeting civilians is a war crime. And it is totally unacceptable. We need real humanitarian corridors that are fully respected.

We made clear for months that President Putin would pay a high price for renewed aggression against Ukraine. And this price is exactly what he is paying now. Russia has been hit with severe and unprecedented sanctions. And near-total isolation on the world stage.

Allies are helping Ukraine to uphold its fundamental right to self-defence. Stepping up with billions of euros worth of support. And opening their borders and providing aid for refugees. The suffering we now see in Ukraine is horrific. It affects us all. And we have a responsibility to ensure the conflict does not escalate and spread beyond Ukraine. That would be even more dangerous, destructive, and even more deadly. And the situation could spiral out of control.

To make sure there is no room for miscalculation in Moscow, NATO has significantly strengthened our presence in the eastern part of our Alliance”, - said Jens Stoltenberg.