BRUSSELS, Belgium — NATO allies on Thursday backed the United States'
decision to impose sanctions on Russia and expel its diplomats over what they
said were Moscow's "destabilizing activities".
اضافة اعلان
"NATO Allies support and stand in solidarity with the United States,
following its April 15 announcement of actions to respond to Russia's destabilizing
activities," the statement said.
"Allies are taking actions individually and collectively to enhance the
Alliance's collective security," it said.
NATO members cited a "sustained pattern" of Russian behavior, from
aggression against Ukraine to interference in the US presidential election and
cyberattacks.
"The United States and other allies assess that all available evidence
points to the responsibility of the Russian Federation for the SolarWinds
hack," the statement said.
The alliance also condemned the nerve agent attack on Kremlin critic Alexei
Navalny, which it blames on Moscow, and said it was concerned by reports Russia
had encouraged attacks against its troops in Afghanistan.
"Allies will continue to work in close consultation to address Russia's
actions, which constitute a threat to Euro-Atlantic security," the
statement said.
"We call on Russia to cease immediately its destabilizing behavior, and
to uphold its international obligations."
The US announced economic sanctions against Russia on Thursday and the
expulsion of 10 diplomats in retaliation for what Washington says is the
Kremlin's US election interference, a massive cyberattack, and other hostile
activity.
President Joe Biden's executive order "sends a signal that the United
States will impose costs in a strategic and economically impactful manner on
Russia if it continues or escalates its destabilizing international
action," the White House said.
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