Russia-Ukraine crisis: NATO Response Force activated for first time
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has decided to deploy the NATO Response Force to thwart Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced in a press conference on Friday
“What we see now is a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine,” Mr Stoltenberg said in a press conference on Friday, warning that Russian forces are moving towards Kyiv.
“We are deploying elements of the NATO Response Force…to further strengthen our posture and to respond quickly to any contingency,” he added.
It is the first time that the NATO Response Force (NRF), made up of 40,000 troops, has been activated for collective defence. The personnel will be deployed to the eastern flank of the alliance, according to Mr Stoltenberg.
However, its troops will not go into Ukraine, which is not a member of the organisation.
United States President Joe Biden had clarified that U.S. troops had been deployed to eastern Europe to help strengthen NATO countries anxious about Russia’s hostile actions, and they will not be fighting in Ukraine.
In a full statement on its website, NATO urged Russia to cease its military assault and withdraw all its forces from Ukraine. It described the invasion of Ukraine as “brutal and wholly unprovoked and unjustified.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
36-year-old suspect arrested for alleged transformer vandalism in Calabar
The command’s spokesperson said the incident occurred following a transformer explosion in the area.
NationWide
Buratai seeks improved inter-agency collaboration to fight terrorism
He emphasised that intelligence sharing should become an institutional obligation.
Economy
Africa’s digital payments economy to hit $1.5 trillion by 2030, Mastercard says
The report identified Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco and Kenya as countries facing distinct cybersecurity challenges.
Economy
IPO: Dangote Refinery extends offer period by two weeks
The extension follows exceptionally strong interest from a broad spectrum of eligible investors across Africa and international markets.
Anti-Corruption
EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American for alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud
Mr Adegoke, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
States
Kaduna APC declares readiness to host Tinubu’s presidential campaign kickoff
Mr Sani said the party was mobilising supporters across the state to welcome the president and other APC leaders.
