Mr. Stoltenberg said that at the moment Russia is continuing to concentrate troops on the border with Ukraine and in Belarus, and reiterated the call for Moscow to de-escalate.
Disputes should be resolved through diplomacy and not through violence and threats, he added.
"While we are working for de-escalation, we are also preparing for the worst," he noted in response to a journalist's question, adding that NATO forces are on standby, and that the readiness level of NATO's Rapid Reaction Force has already been increased for some weeks.
NATO's written proposals, which he said have the support of all 30 members of the Alliance, focus on three areas where he said there is room for improvement: the restoration of NATO-Russia relations, European security, and reducing the risk of conflict through, among other things, arms control.
Regarding NATO-Russia relations, Stoltenberg noted that the dialogue is difficult as it has been interrupted by the Russian side, and suggested that delegations of each side in Brussels and Moscow should be re-opened to each other.
He said there is a need to re-establish communication at the military level for the purpose of transparency regarding military actions, as well as the establishment of a civilian "red line" of communication. Stoltenberg said that "we are ready to listen to Russia's concerns" and "to strengthen Europe's security" on the basis of the principle that each country is entitled to decide for itself on matters relating to its own security.
He added that NATO is raising the issue of withdrawing troops from Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, where they are located without the approval of these countries.
With regard to reducing the risk of conflict, Mr. Stoltenberg referred to the need for practical measures such as mutual information through the NATO-Russia Council on the conduct of exercises, enhancing transparency, reducing cyber-attacks and preventing incidents in the air and at sea.
"We must have a serious discussion on arms, nuclear and missile control", the NATO Secretary General stressed.
Mr. Stoltenberg reiterated that NATO and the US want a political solution, recalling that there are currently 100,000 Russian troops on Ukraine's borders and further troop movements
"We call on Russia to de-escalate", he said, adding that NATO is on standby together with partner countries and of course the European Union.
Source: CNA
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