NATO Chief Accuses Russia of Replacing Rule of Law With Law of Force

Stoltenberg has said Tuesday before beginning a NATO foreign ministerial meeting held behind closed doors that Russia is trying to replace the rule of law with the law of force.

BRUSSELS, December 2 (Sputnik) — NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday he believes that Russia has replaced "the rule of law" with "the law of force" and that "instability is creeping closer" to NATO's borders.

"Instability is creeping closer. Russia is trying to replace the rule of law with the law of force," Stoltenberg said before beginning a closed-door NATO foreign ministerial meeting.

Earlier today, Stoltenberg has accused Russia and eastern Ukrainian independence supporters of violating the Minsk protocol and praised Ukraine's efforts to implement the agreements. He noted that NATO was supporting Kiev both politically and practically and was eager to announce the trust funds established to help Ukraine overcome the ongoing crisis.

NATO's secretary general has called on Russia to "respect the ceasefire and to withdraw its forces from Ukraine. Nevertheless, he once again failed to provide evidence of Russia"s military presence in Ukraine.

Russia's relations with NATO deteriorated dramatically after the alliance accused Moscow of destabilizing the situation in Ukraine and condemned Crimea's reunification with Russia in March.

On April 1, NATO ended all practical cooperation with Russia, only maintaining contacts at the ambassadorial level.

Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement in the armed conflict in Ukraine.