The North Atlantic Treaty Group (NATO) mentioned in an announcement condemning Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine that "nobody ought to be fooled by the Russian authorities's barrage of lies."

NATO promised within the assertion that Russia pays "a extreme worth, each politically and economically, for years to return" for his or her actions, including that the member nations are "making vital further defensive deployments of forces to the jap a part of the Alliance."

A driving drive within the lead-up to the present battle was Russia's demand that Ukraine not be allowed to hitch NATO, which might give the alliance one other member alongside Russia's western border, becoming a member of Norway, Latvia and Estonia. A number of different NATO members border Ukraine and Belarus, one other nation that has been reportedly aiding Russia's invasion, together with Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Lithuania.

"We stand in full solidarity with the democratically elected president, parliament and authorities of Ukraine and with the courageous individuals of Ukraine who at the moment are defending their homeland," the NATO assertion learn. "Our ideas are with all these killed, injured and displaced by Russia's aggression, and with their households. NATO stays dedicated to all of the foundational rules underpinning European safety, together with that every nation has the proper to decide on its personal safety preparations."

The assertion continued: "We'll proceed to offer political and sensible help to Ukraine because it continues to defend itself and name on others to do the identical. We reaffirm our unwavering help for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine inside its internationally recognised borders, together with its territorial waters. This principled place won't ever change."

NATO Ukraine Russia Condemnation Barrage of Lies
NATO issued an announcement Friday condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and urging them to finish the assault and take away their forces from Ukraine. Above, officers and navy personnel stand beneath flags as they attend the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Group) summit ceremony on the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Might 25, 2017.Emmanuel Dunand/AFP through Getty Photographs

NATO leaders have mentioned "all the required penalties" that ought to be levied in opposition to Russia for its actions, based on the assertion.

Earlier Friday, Russian Overseas Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova appeared to challenge a thinly veiled menace to Sweden and Finland, who aren't NATO members, saying that a determination for the nations to hitch the alliance would have "severe military-political repercussions that might demand a response from our nation."

The assertion from Zakharova got here after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy despatched a pair of tweets expressing gratitude for Sweden's "navy, technical and humanitarian help," and the $50 million in support that Finland had reportedly donated to Ukraine's battle effort.

NATO Secretary-Common Jens Stoltenberg additionally introduced Friday that among the NATO Response Drive, a multinational fight drive, shall be deployed to help Ukraine in its protection in opposition to the Russian invasion.

"There have to be no area for miscalculation or misunderstanding. We'll do what it takes to guard and defend each ally and each inch of NATO territory," Stoltenberg mentioned.

Replace 02/25/22, 2:23 p.m. ET: This story has been up to date with further data.