(MENAFN- QNA) The NATO summit in Wales backed the peace process in Ukraine, proposed it a closer cooperation, 15 million of financial aid to support military reforms, and some NATO states agreed to provide military supplies, both lethal and non-lethal. These are the main results of the summit’s first day, September 4, when the session of the NATO-Ukraine Commission took place on the highest level, Russian Itar Tass news agency reported.
Usual accusations of destabilization of the situation and threats of new sanctions were spoken out in Russia’s address, although NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen admitted that the peace plan suggested by the Russian side was "exactly what we need", if it would be implemented.
"Let me stress that we welcome all efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Ukraine," Rasmussen said. "Having said that, I also have to say that what counts is what is actually happening on the ground. And we are still witnessing unfortunately Russian involvement in destabilizing the situation in eastern Ukraine." The NATO’s chief urged Russia to stop the confrontation in Ukraine and turn to peace.
Talking about the ways to resolve the crisis in Ukraine, he noted that no one wanted a war or an armed conflict. "We do believe that the best way forward is to find a political solution. And to facilitate such a political solution, I firmly believe that the international community must respond determinately if Russia was to intervene further in Ukraine," he said, adding that it would be necessary to "respond through deeper, broader, tougher economic sanctions that would definitely hurt Russian economy and isolate Russia further".
Rasmussen said he pinned hope on the implementation of the peace plan suggested by Russia on Wednesday, September 3, which consists of seven points. "That's exactly what we need: a constructive political process," he said. However, referring to the local situation and the way the crisis was developing, he admitted that the alliance was being careful so far. "If recent statements from President Putin represent a genuine effort to find a political solution, I would welcome it," Rasmussen said.
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