NATO backed US sanctions against Russia for election interference and hacking

NATO on Thursday expressed support for the US-approved sanctions battery against Russia and ensured Moscow was following a pattern of destabilization that included interference in Ukraine and Georgia.

Measures approved by US President Joe Biden include expulsion diplomatic staff in Washington, for their “harmful” activities. In light of this, the 30 NATO Allies spoke out in favor of the United States and indicated that they were taking individual and collective actions to improve the collective security of the Alliance.

Between the destabilization maneuvers listed in the press release they meet attempted interference in the 2016 US election, disinformation campaigns and cyberattack activities. The Atlantic Alliance shares that “all the evidence” indicates that Russia is behind the hack against the “software” company SolarWinds, which affected a dozen US government agencies and more than a hundred companies private in early 2021. This episode was one of those committed. by Biden to sign the presidential ordinance which opens a new phase in relations with Moscow.

Another of the most important measures is the expulsion of ten members staff of the Russian diplomatic mission in Washington. A measure to which Russia has already responded, which summoned the American ambassador and promised an “energetic” response.

The allies have insisted on condemning the case of Alexei Navalni, a Russian opposition leader jailed after a poisoning attempt last summer. And in this crossroads of blame with Moscow, they stressed that reports that Russia is encouraging attacks in Afghanistan against US and NATO forces are “worrying.”

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, where Russian military maneuvers at the border have raised all alarms, the allies reiterated their demand to put an end to the “destabilizing” actions and their “provocations” on the Ukrainian border and in the Crimean Peninsula., illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.

That same Thursday, the Foreign Ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia carried out a joint mission to Kiev, where they will express their “solidarity” Yes “unconditional support” in Ukraine in the face of Russian escalation.

EU DEFENDS DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO REDUCE TENSIONS

For its part, the European Union has expressed its solidarity with the United States for the cyber attacks that the American administration attributes to Russia. “We alarm the recent increase in activities that affect the security and integrity of information and communication technology (ICT) products and services, which could have systemic effects and cause significant damage to our society, our security and our economy, ”he said. the declaration of the High Representative, Josep Borrell, on behalf of the Twenty-Seven.

In this sense, the EU warned against the desire of certain actors to use the network to endanger international security and stability and called on all actors to avoid “irresponsible” behavior. “We will continue to investigate malicious cyber activity with a view to sustained, joint and coordinated action to prevent, deter, deter and respond to such malicious behavior in cyberspace, in close collaboration with our international partners.”said the statement.

At a press conference, EU Foreign Affairs spokesperson Peter Stano defended the bloc’s diplomatic efforts to intercede against the growing tension in eastern Ukraine and denounce the actions of the Russia, in cooperation both with Washington, within the G7 and with NATO.

“We are engaged at different levels and great diplomatic efforts are being made to react to the latest developments and promote de-escalation on the Ukrainian border,” he said in defense of the bloc’s actions.

Stano stressed that the situation in Ukraine and the next steps to be taken against Moscow will be discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council next Monday, although European sources indicate that the adoption of new sanctions is not expected on that day and that the The EU will limit itself to keeping track of the latest events.

According to Washington, its sanctions for human rights violations in Crimea have been applied in coordination with the EU, although the European bloc’s latest action in this regard dates back to last March, when existing sanctions were renewed.

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