Washington. February 17. INTERFAX - US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his colleagues from France Florence Parly, Germany Christina Lambrecht and Great Britain Ben Wallace during a meeting in Brussels confirmed the importance of NATO unity to counter Russia's policy, Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby said.
The ministers "agreed on the importance of NATO unity for deterring Russia, keeping the allies calm on the eastern flank of the alliance and maintaining a rules-based international order," the statement said.
The parties also "discussed recent diplomatic contacts with Russia, and stated the need to de-escalate the situation," expressed support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Kirby informed that Austin also discussed the importance of preserving the unity of the Alliance at a separate meeting with Lambrecht. The parties touched upon the "possible reaction" of NATO in the event of an aggravation of the situation.
Austin thanked Lambrecht "for the rapid deployment of German personnel to strengthen the NATO advanced combat team in Lithuania" and for Berlin's support for the deployment of US military personnel in Germany "to strengthen deterrence and ensure the security of our allies on the Eastern flank of NATO."
