THE HEAD OF NATO has called on Russia to scale down military involvement in Ukraine.

Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen today convened the North Atlantic Council because of Russia’s military action in Ukraine. He said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had made threats against the sovereignty of Ukraine.

What Russia is doing now in Ukraine violates the principles of the United Nations Charter. It threatens peace and security in Europe. Russia must stop its military activities and its threats.

“Today we will discuss their implications, for European peace and security, and for NATOs’ relationship with Russia.”

Rasmussen added that NATO will support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

“We support Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. We support the right of the people of Ukraine to determine their own future without outside interference.

“And we emphasise the need for Ukraine to continue to uphold the democratic rights of all people and ensure that minority rights are protected.

We urge all parties to urgently continue all efforts to move away from this dangerous situation. In particular, I call on Russia to de-escalate tensions.

Both sides have readied troops as tensions on the Crimean peninsula have risen in the recent days.

Read: Obama and Putin stare down over Ukraine