NATO expresses concern about the escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine

NATO expresses concern about the escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, February 18, the Ukrainian media has reported.

Reportedly, NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu has released a statement, saying that NATO fully supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders.

"We are concerned about the escalation of violence by Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine this morning. It undermines the Minsk agreements and efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully. NATO fully supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders," the statement reads.

Oana Lungescu underlined that NATO calls on Russia to withdraw its forces, stop supporting the separatists and make real efforts to implement the Minsk agreements.