Iran Press/ Europe: On Wednesday, 24 February morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially announced a special military operation against Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin says he had no other choice than to launch the military operation to stop the Ukrainian military’s interference in two eastern republics that have broken away from Ukraine. Russia perceives NATO’s eastward expansion as a threat.
Moscow attacked its neighbor this week, arguing that it was defending the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, which broke off from the eastern part of Ukraine shortly after the 2014 coup in Kyiv. Ukraine said the move was an act of unprovoked aggression.
NATO allies have rushed to bolster their eastern flank after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military operation in support of Donetsk and Luhansk independence, but remain adamant that they will not get involved militarily in the war in non-NATO member Ukraine.
NATO has for the first time activated its rapid response force to add to thousands of troops already sent by allies to eastern members.
NATO has rejected that idea, arguing it could drag the alliance what could turn into a nuclear conflict with with Moscow.
"We have to accept the reality that that involves shooting down Russian planes," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday on a trip to Estonia with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.
"That's a very, very big step that is simply not on the agenda of any NATO country." 219
