NATO member states will discuss Russia’s proposals on security guarantees in the North Atlantic Council next week. German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht announced this on Sunday during her visit to Lithuania.

“I made it clear that we must resolve the tense situation in which we find ourselves, both at the diplomatic level and through credible containment measures. This includes the fact that we need to talk to each other,” she said on press conferences with Lithuanian counterpart Arvydas Anushauskas. “This means that the discussion of the proposals that were presented by Russia is correct and important, but it is impossible [to allow] Russia to dictate to NATO partners how to position themselves,” the minister said. “This should be clear and we will make it very clear during the consultations,” Lambrecht continued.

“We will discuss these proposals in the North Atlantic Council next week,” the German Defense Minister said.

Lambrecht also stressed that she was making her first visit as minister to Lithuania “quite deliberately”. “We stand firmly on the side of our partners and friends,” she said. “We in NATO are ready to decisively, as well as rally, stand up for the security of our allies,” Lambrecht said. She noted that the alliance is closely following the development of the situation in Ukraine.