The EU will hit Russia with a tough new round of sanctions, it emerged last night, as the head of Nato said that Europe had a duty to support Ukraine for the sake of global security.
With pressure mounting on Russia despite talk of a peace plan with Kiev, Nato countries pledged to deepen their military relationship with Ukraine after a meeting between leaders at a summit in Wales yesterday.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Nato secretary general, accused Russia of the first land grab since the end of the Second World War over its annexation of Crimea and ongoing interference in eastern Ukraine. “Europe must not turn away from the rule of law to the rule of the strongest,” he said. “This is vital for peace and security in the world.”
The United States is also gearing up to hit Russia economically in co-ordination with the EU in response to President Putin’s actions in Ukraine, where thousands of Russian troops are believed to be fighting in support of pro-Russian separatists. The European sanctions will target state-owned Russian defence and energy companies.
President Obama “is very committed to moving on the next tranche of sanctions”, John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, said. Nato, meanwhile, is responding to Russia’s actions with the most significant shift in posture since the end of the Cold War. The alliance’s 28 members are expected to unveil a plan to bolster their defences against future attack by Russia and any other potential adversary — a move that could see Patriot missiles directed to protect eastern European airspace.
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Such a move would be regarded as highly provocative by Russia but is being called for by the Baltic countries and Poland.
Other measures include the creation of an emergency response force of up to 5,000 troops — expected to include a British element — ready to mobilise in 48 hours. Military bases in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland are to be enhanced, with weapons, ammunition and other military kit, including possible short to medium-range air defence systems, being placed in the Baltic in case of a crisis.
Nato members are expected to agree to increase the number of troops they rotate in and out of eastern European countries as part of a wider reassurance effort designed to make countries that are closest to Russia feel less anxious.
Petro Poroshenko, the Ukrainian leader, said that he was cautiously optimistic about a meeting today aimed at ending the conflict. He said that he would order a ceasefire provided a planned meeting in Minsk of envoys from Ukraine, Russia and Europe’s OSCE security watchdog went ahead.
Mr Rasmussen struck a more cautious tone. He accused Russia of only talking about peace in Ukraine but not taking “a single step” to make it possible. Nato released a joint statement of support for Ukraine, a partner nation but not a full member of the alliance, a position that Kiev is expected to request after elections. The two parties saidthey were deepening their relationship in the defence and security sector.
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Nato will expand the number of officials working in an advisory role in Kiev and alliance counties will help rehabilitate military personnel injured in the conflict. Money is also being pledged for four trust funds that will provide additional support to the military. In addition, Nato and Ukraine will increase military training exercises.