Nato chief: Putin’s Crimea visit ‘inappropriate’

TALLINN (Estonia) — The head of NATO urged Russia today (May 9) to “step back from the brink” and described President Vladimir Putin’s visit to recently annexed Crimea as inappropriate.

During a visit to Estonia — like Ukraine a former Soviet republic — Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also said there’s no “visible evidence” of Russian claims of a troop withdrawal from the border with Ukraine.

“We’ve seen such announcements also in the past, without any withdrawal of Russian troops so we’re very cautious,” the Dane told reporters after a speech in the capital, Tallinn. “I would be the first to welcome it if Russian troops were pulled out, if we see a clear and meaningful withdrawal, because it would contribute to de-escalate the crisis.”

Asked about Mr Putin’s first visit to Crimea since the region became part of Russia, Mr Fogh Rasmussen noted that NATO doesn’t recognize the annexation.

“We still consider Crimea as Ukrainian territory and from my knowledge the Ukrainian authorities haven’t invited Putin to visit Crimea so from that point of view his visit to Crimea is inappropriate,” he said.

In his speech, the NATO chief accused Russia of destabilizing the security situation in Europe........[todayonline.com]
9/5/14
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