Massive Russian attacks force emergency NATO-Ukraine Council meeting in Brussels
Photo: Massive Russian attacks forced the convening of an extraordinary NATO-Ukraine Council in Brussels (Getty Images)
Today, September 1, in Brussels, at Ukraine’s request and in response to Russia’s recent massive air attacks, an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council will take place, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reports.
“We anticipate a focused discussion on joint steps to adequately respond to Russia's rejection of peace efforts and escalating terror against Ukrainians,” Sybiha noted.
The Foreign Minister added that Ukraine is grateful to NATO and all allies for their strong support and meaningful peace efforts.
“Moscow must feel a stronger pressure as a consequence of it prolonging the war,” Sybiha emphasized.
NATO-Ukraine Council
This is a format of regular consultations between Ukraine and the North Atlantic Alliance, created to coordinate cooperation in military, political, and security areas.
Its goal is to discuss issues of security, defense assistance, defense reforms, joint operation planning, and strategic support for Ukraine in the context of Russian aggression.
Meetings of the NATO-Ukraine Council can be both scheduled and extraordinary. An extraordinary session is convened in response to critical events or deterioration of the security situation, for example, after massive Russian attacks or significant escalation of the conflict.
At such meetings, leaders of NATO member states and representatives of Ukraine discuss coordination of political and military support, information sharing on threats, and ways of diplomatic pressure on the aggressor.
The format of the meetings includes participation of ambassadors, foreign or defense ministers, as well as other high-ranking representatives.
The Council’s decisions are political in nature and form the basis for further concrete steps by the Alliance in support of Ukraine.
Russian attacks on Ukraine
On the night of August 28, Ukrainian cities came under attack from Russian missiles and drones. In Kyiv, a residential building partially collapsed as a result of the strike. At least 23 people were killed in the capital, and dozens were injured.
On the night of August 30, Russians carried out another massive attack on Ukraine, launching 537 drones and 45 missiles of various types.
On the night of August 31, Chornomorsk in the Odesa region suffered the heaviest attack on the city since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
