BEIJING: As the level of uncertainty on the Russia-Ukraine border rises, significant diplomatic efforts are being made to find a peaceful solution. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Brussels on Thursday to discuss Russia-Ukraine tensions.

"This is a critical moment for European security," Stoltenberg said in a press statement, adding that while NATO is prepared for the worst, it is still dedicated to finding a political solution.

He praised British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as Foreign Secretary Liz Truss' travel to Moscow. He also praised Britain's pledge to NATO of extra troops, ships, and planes.

Several Western countries have accused Moscow of amassing soldiers along the Ukrainian border, fueling fears of a "invasion" by the Russians. Russia has the right to mobilise soldiers within its borders to defend its territory, according to Moscow, because NATO's activities pose a threat to Russia's border security.

Putin said the US and NATO ignore Russia's core security concerns, while the military alliance tries to lecture Russia on where and how to station its armed forces, during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron following their hours-long talks in the Kremlin earlier this week.

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