NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that he has chaired ‘not an easy’ discussion of the NATO-Russia council amid current tension at the Ukrainian border and Russia’s demands to the alliance not to add new members, including Ukraine and Georgia.

“We had a very serious and direct exchange on the situation in and around Ukraine.And the implications for European security.There are significant differences between NATO Allies and Russia on these issues.Our differences will not be easy to bridge,” Stoltenberg said, noting that ‘it is a positive sign that all NATO Allies and Russia sat down around the same table.’

He said that today Russia raised the proposals that they published in December, aimed at addressing their security concerns.

These included demands to stop admitting any new members to NATO and to withdraw forces from eastern Allies.

“Allies on their side reaffirmed NATO’s Open Door policy. And the right for each nation to choose its own security arrangements.Allies made clear that they will not renounce their ability to protect and defend each other,” Stoltenberg said.

Both Russia and NATO allies expressed the need to resume dialogue and to explore a schedule of future meetings.NATO Allies are ready to meet again with Russia to have discussions in greater detail, to put concrete proposals on the table,and to seek constructive outcomes, Stoltenberg stated.