NATO 'will not compromise on core principles', says Jens Stoltenberg in stark warning to Russia

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the organisation will not compromise on its core principles, telling a press conference: “Every nation has the right to choose his own path. There will never be first class and second-class members of NATO.”

He told journalists that Russia had amassed a fighting force in and around Ukraine that was “unprecedented since the Cold War”. Mr Stoltenberg cautioned that although Russian preparations were in place for an attack, he thought Moscow still had time to “step back from the brink”.

Secretary General Stoltenberg said any Russian aggression against Ukraine “would come at a high price”, detailing NATO's systematic “exposure” of aggressive actions by Russia.

NATO remains ready to discuss relations with Russia but reiterated that NATO would not compromise on their core principles.

Defence ministers from NATO countries are set to meet counterparts from Ukraine and Georgia to discuss “the worsening security situation” in the Black Sea region, he added.

To counter Russian aggression, Mr Stoltenberg said it was important to invest in defence and encouraged allies “to continue to invest in shared security”.