Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. The spectre of Russian aggression has long hung over Eastern Europe. Today it menaces our friends in Ukraine, and threatens security and stability for us all. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine. Despite Russia’s claims, the military build-up shows no signs of slowing down. There is currently no evidence that forces are withdrawing. Russia must step back from the brink. The Kremlin has had every offer of diplomacy – the Normandy process, proposals for further talks in the NATO-Russia Council, transparency mechanisms through the OSCE, and countless bi…