NATO chief urges Russian withdrawal from Ukraine border, stresses need for dialogue

Russia should "do what it says" and withdraw its forces from the borders of Ukraine, Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), said here on Thursday.

The withdrawal "will be an important first step towards a peaceful political solution," he said after a meeting of the NATO member states' defense ministers.

On Tuesday, Russia said part of its armed forces participating in joint drills with Belarus would be pulled back. According to the country's defense ministry, when the combat training activities are completed, the Russian troops, as always, will return to their locations of permanent deployment.

However, Stoltenberg said that no significant withdrawal of troops or equipment took place.

"Despite Moscow's claims, we have seen no sign of withdrawal or de-escalation so far," he said. "On the contrary, Russia's build-up appears to continue. We continue to monitor developments very closely."

NATO has called for dialogue to continue with Russia through the NATO-Russia Council, established in 2002 with the aim of "reducing misunderstanding and increasing predictability."

"In times of tension, dialogue is even more important. NATO remains open to engaging with Russia in good faith," Stoltenberg said.

Russia sent a draft security treaty to NATO in December 2021, which was followed by discussions within the NATO-Russia Council. NATO then sent Russia its own proposal and is now awaiting response.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue, with visits by the French and German heads of state to Moscow. During German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit on Tuesday, Russia's President Vladimir Putin said that his country did not want war.