Jens Stoltenberg: What we see now is that Russia tries to re-establish sphere of influence, where they try to control what neighbours can do

"It is a fundamental principle that every nation has the right to choose its own path, including what kind of security arrangements it wants to be part of," - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in response to the Russian government's demand.

“We stand by our decisions. And nothing has changed when it comes to NATO's approach to Ukraine's membership.

It is for Ukraine to decide its own path, to decide whether it wants to aspire for membership or not. And they aspire for membership. And then this for the 30 Allies to decide when Ukraine is ready to join the Alliance. No one else. This is about really respecting the rights of every independent nation to choose his own path.

What we see now is that Russia tries to re-establish sphere of influence, where they try to control what neighbours can do”, the Secretary General said.

Russia demanded that NATO rescind a 2008 commitment to Ukraine and Georgia that they would one day become members and said the alliance should promise not to deploy weapons in countries bordering Russia that could threaten its security.