NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on Russia to immediately withdraw its troops and equipment from eastern Ukraine areas held by pro-Russian separatists.
"Russia needs to stop supporting the militants and withdraw its forces and military equipment from Ukrainian territory. In response to Russia's actions, NATO has stepped up its support for Ukraine. Our level of political and practical engagement since 2014 is unprecedented", Stoltenberg said following a meeting of NATO Defense Ministers in Brussels.
The statement comes as European Union Foreign Ministers need to discuss extending sanctions against Russian individuals and companies that were introduced following the Crimean annexation and the start of the war in eastern Ukraine.
Stoltenberg said that the West will never recognize the annexation of Crimea into Russia.