"Instability is creeping closer. Russia is trying to replace the rule of law with the law of force," Stoltenberg said before beginning a closed-door NATO foreign ministerial meeting.
Earlier today, Stoltenberg has accused Russia and eastern Ukrainian independence supporters of violating the Minsk protocol and praised Ukraine's efforts to implement the agreements. He noted that NATO was supporting Kiev both politically and practically and was eager to announce the trust funds established to help Ukraine overcome the ongoing crisis.
Russia's relations with NATO deteriorated dramatically after the alliance accused Moscow of destabilizing the situation in Ukraine and condemned Crimea's reunification with Russia in March.
On April 1, NATO ended all practical cooperation with Russia, only maintaining contacts at the ambassadorial level.
Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement in the armed conflict in Ukraine.
