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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that they welcomed EU sanctions against Belarus, on Tuesday, following the diversion of Ryanair passenger plane and detention of prominent opposition activist and journalist Roman Protasevich.

Speaking alongside Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas at NATO headquarters in Brussels, "The forced landing of a passenger flight by Belarus was dangerous and unacceptable. This is a state hijacking and demonstrates how the regime in Minsk attacks basic democratic rights and cracks down on freedom of expression and independent media."

"I welcome the additional measures agreed by the European Union. There must be an urgent international investigation. And journalist Roman Protasevich and his companion Sofia Sapega must be immediately released," he added.

Speaking about Russia, Stoltenberg stated that although some of its military build-up in and around Ukraine had been withdrawn, tens of thousands of soldiers and a significant amount of weapons remain in the region.

Stoltenberg stated, "Russia is also restricting navigation in the Black Sea, including near the Kerch Strait. This is part of a pattern of aggressive actions, which raise serious concerns. NATO remains vigilant."

On Sunday, a Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius carrying Protasevich, an exiled opponent of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, was forced to divert to Minsk over a supposed bomb threat. Once the plane landed, the police boarded the aircraft and arrested Protasevich.

The activist is the former editor-in-chief of Belarusian opposition Telegram channel Nexta and is accused of terrorism in his home country.

He was put on an international wanted list by the Belarusian authorities in November, accused of organising mass riots and of inciting social hatred following last August's presidential election that saw Lukashenko win a sixth term in office.

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