Further Russian action in Ukraine would be historic mistake - Nato chief

Move would deepen Russia’s isolation internationally, says Rasmussen

Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen addresses a news conference during a Nato foreign ministers meeting at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels today. Nato said it would suspend “all practical civilian and military co-operation” with Russia because of Moscow’s occupation and annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region. Photograph: Laurent Dubrule/Reuters
Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen addresses a news conference during a Nato foreign ministers meeting at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels today. Nato said it would suspend “all practical civilian and military co-operation” with Russia because of Moscow’s occupation and annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region. Photograph: Laurent Dubrule/Reuters

Further Russian intervention in Ukraine, following its annexation of Crimea, would be a "historic mistake" that would deepen Russia's international isolation, Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said today.

"If Russia were to intervene further in Ukraine, I wouldn't hesitate to call it an historic mistake.

“That would lead to further international isolation of Russia. It would have far reaching consequences for the relations between Russia and ... the western world.

“It would be a miscalculation with huge strategic implications,” he told a news conference after a meeting of alliance foreign ministers.

READ SOME MORE

Reuters