01:35NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg alleged that Russia's recent presidential election was 'neither free nor fair', as he held a press briefing during talks with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi on Monday.
"Russia's presidential election was clearly neither free nor fair," he claimed. "Georgia is facing complex security challenges. Russia persists [in] its pursuit of imperial ambitions and in Ukraine, the situation on the battlefield remains difficult."
The secretary general added that it was 'vital' that the alliance continued to 'step up our support'.
"NATO allies provide 99 percent of all military aid to Ukraine and our partners also play a key role. I welcome that Georgia is hosting thousands of Ukrainian refugees and providing crucial humanitarian and financial aid," he said.
The two leaders are also seen shaking hands and holding talks. The alliance previously said that Georgia, along with Ukraine, could join as far back as 2008, although no path to membership was agreed.
Earlier, Russia's Election Commission reported 'record breaking' turnout in the elections and head of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) observer mission Zhang Ming stated that the voting was 'transparent, credible and democratic' with 'no violations of national legislation that cast doubt on the legitimacy of the elections'.
With over 99 percent of the vote counted, incumbent President Vladimir Putin had secured more than 87 percent, according to the election commission, while the other three candidates had less than five percent each.
Moscow has also repeatedly condemned NATO allies for shipping weaponry to Ukraine, saying it will only prolong the conflict and won't change the outcome. It has also claimed NATO expansionism was responsible for triggering the Ukraine conflict, which Kiev and its allies deny.
Stoltenberg is on a three-day trip which began in Baku on Sunday, and will continue in Yerevan, Armenia, on Tuesday.
'Russia's presidential election was clearly neither free nor fair' - Stoltenberg
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg alleged that Russia's recent presidential election was 'neither free nor fair', as he held a press briefing during talks with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi on Monday.
"Russia's presidential election was clearly neither free nor fair," he claimed. "Georgia is facing complex security challenges. Russia persists [in] its pursuit of imperial ambitions and in Ukraine, the situation on the battlefield remains difficult."
The secretary general added that it was 'vital' that the alliance continued to 'step up our support'.
"NATO allies provide 99 percent of all military aid to Ukraine and our partners also play a key role. I welcome that Georgia is hosting thousands of Ukrainian refugees and providing crucial humanitarian and financial aid," he said.
The two leaders are also seen shaking hands and holding talks. The alliance previously said that Georgia, along with Ukraine, could join as far back as 2008, although no path to membership was agreed.
Earlier, Russia's Election Commission reported 'record breaking' turnout in the elections and head of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) observer mission Zhang Ming stated that the voting was 'transparent, credible and democratic' with 'no violations of national legislation that cast doubt on the legitimacy of the elections'.
With over 99 percent of the vote counted, incumbent President Vladimir Putin had secured more than 87 percent, according to the election commission, while the other three candidates had less than five percent each.
Moscow has also repeatedly condemned NATO allies for shipping weaponry to Ukraine, saying it will only prolong the conflict and won't change the outcome. It has also claimed NATO expansionism was responsible for triggering the Ukraine conflict, which Kiev and its allies deny.
Stoltenberg is on a three-day trip which began in Baku on Sunday, and will continue in Yerevan, Armenia, on Tuesday.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg alleged that Russia's recent presidential election was 'neither free nor fair', as he held a press briefing during talks with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi on Monday.
"Russia's presidential election was clearly neither free nor fair," he claimed. "Georgia is facing complex security challenges. Russia persists [in] its pursuit of imperial ambitions and in Ukraine, the situation on the battlefield remains difficult."
The secretary general added that it was 'vital' that the alliance continued to 'step up our support'.
"NATO allies provide 99 percent of all military aid to Ukraine and our partners also play a key role. I welcome that Georgia is hosting thousands of Ukrainian refugees and providing crucial humanitarian and financial aid," he said.
The two leaders are also seen shaking hands and holding talks. The alliance previously said that Georgia, along with Ukraine, could join as far back as 2008, although no path to membership was agreed.
Earlier, Russia's Election Commission reported 'record breaking' turnout in the elections and head of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) observer mission Zhang Ming stated that the voting was 'transparent, credible and democratic' with 'no violations of national legislation that cast doubt on the legitimacy of the elections'.
With over 99 percent of the vote counted, incumbent President Vladimir Putin had secured more than 87 percent, according to the election commission, while the other three candidates had less than five percent each.
Moscow has also repeatedly condemned NATO allies for shipping weaponry to Ukraine, saying it will only prolong the conflict and won't change the outcome. It has also claimed NATO expansionism was responsible for triggering the Ukraine conflict, which Kiev and its allies deny.
Stoltenberg is on a three-day trip which began in Baku on Sunday, and will continue in Yerevan, Armenia, on Tuesday.