NATO troops will not interfere in the conflict in eastern Ukraine

Photo: Reuters

New NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg exclude intervention of the military forces of the Alliance in the conflict in the east of Ukraine, informed Reuters.

"We need to keep NATO strong, we need to help keep our neighborhood stable in cooperation with our partners and we need a rock-solid bond between the United States and Europe.

"That creates the best foundation for a more constructive, more cooperative relationship with Russia," Stoltenberg said.

Relations between Moscow and NATO are at a post-Cold War low over Russia's actions in Ukraine, where Moscow - as well as supporting separatists - annexed the Crimean peninsula in March after protesters overthrew Kiev's pro-Moscow president.

NATO has made clear it will not intervene militarily in Ukraine, which is not an alliance member.

NATO accuses the Kremlin of using its military to support the rebels, an accusation that Russia has denied.

"Russia has violated international law and has violated its international commitment and violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.

"We call on Russia to respect international law and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and to use their influence on separatists to make them respect the ceasefire," he said. "Russia has to change their actions, their behavior."