NATO’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

NATO condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s full-scale invasion of

Ukraine – which is an independent, peaceful and democratic country, and a close
NATO partner. The Alliance calls on Russia to immediately cease its military assault,
to withdraw all its forces from Ukraine and to turn back from the path of aggression it
has chosen.

NATO is a defensive alliance of 30 countries from Europe and North America.

NATO exists to defend its member countries and their one billion citizens. It does this
by bringing together the governments and the armed forces of the 30 Allies, and by
providing a security guarantee that an attack on one of them is an attack on all of them.

Ukraine is not a NATO member. Ukraine is a NATO partner country, which means that
it cooperates closely with NATO but it is not covered by the security guarantee in the
Alliance’s founding treaty.

NATO is helping to coordinate Ukraine’s requests for assistance and is supporting

Allies in the delivery of humanitarian and non-lethal aid. Individual NATO member
countries are sending weapons, ammunition, medical supplies and other vital military
equipment to Ukraine. They are also providing millions of euros of financial assistance
to Ukraine. Many Allies are also offering humanitarian aid to civilians and opening their
borders to Ukrainian refugees.

NATO’s actions are defensive, designed not to provoke a conflict but to prevent a
conflict. The Alliance has a responsibility to ensure that this war does not escalate and
spread beyond Ukraine, which would be even more devastating and dangerous. If
NATO becomes directly involved in the conflict, this could lead to a full-fledged war in
Europe, involving many more countries and causing much more human suffering.

NATO, along with the European Union and other partners, has helped coordinate Allies’
adoption of the unprecedented package of restrictive measures placed on Russia as a
result of its brutal and unconscionable actions. These measures include massive and
severe sanctions. President Putin’s decision to attack Ukraine is a terrible strategic
mistake, for which Russia will pay a heavy price, both economically and politically, for
years to come.

NATO has deployed thousands of additional defensive land and air forces in the
eastern part of the Alliance, and maritime assets across the NATO area. The Alliance
has activated NATO’s defence plans so that it is prepared to respond to any
developments and secure Alliance territory, including by drawing on highly ready
response forces. All measures are and remain preventive, proportionate and non-
escalatory.
On 24 February 2022, war returned to Europe. The outcome of Russia’s criminal attack on
Ukraine is still unknown.
On 24 February, Russia launched a comprehensive invasion of Ukraine, marking a major
escalation of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. The campaign had been preceded by a prolonged
Russian military buildup (since early 2021), as well as numerous Russian demands for security
measures and legal prohibitions against Ukraine joining NATO.
On 10 November 2021, the United States reported unusual movement of Russian troops near the
borders of Ukraine. By 28 November, Ukraine reported a build up of 92,000 Russian troops.

 On 7 December, US President Joe Biden warned Putin of "strong economic and other
measures" if Russia attacks Ukraine.
 On 17 December, Putin proposed limits on NATO's activities in eastern Europe, such as a
prohibition on Ukraine ever joining NATO, which are rejected.
 On 17 January 2022, Russian troops began arriving in Russia's ally Belarus for military
exercises.
 On 19 January, the US gave Ukraine $200 million in security aid.
 On 24 January, NATO put troops on standby.
 On 25 January, Russian exercises involving 6,000 troops and 60 jets took place in Russia near
Ukraine, and Crimea.
 On 10 February, Russia and Belarus began 10 days of military maneuvers.
 On 17 February, fighting escalated in separatist regions of eastern Ukraine.
March
During a second round of talks, Russia and Ukraine agreed to open humanitarian corridors for
the evacuation of civilians.[176] The Estonian cargo ship Helt sunk after an explosion
near Odessa; all six crew members aboard the ship survived.[177][178]
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs authorized the supply of 2,700 surface-to-air
missiles (SAMs) to Ukraine.[179] Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed a law
allowing the seizure of assets owned by the Russian government or nationals.[180]
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed it had captured Balakliia.[181] Zelenskyy meanwhile
asked to hold direct talks with Russian president Putin, saying that they are "the only way to
stop this war".[182] The United States stated that about 90% of the Russian forces that had
amassed around Ukraine before the invasion had entered the country.