NATO's top official says Russia's military intervention in Ukraine is in violation of the U.N. charter and threatens peace and security in Europe.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen spoke Sunday before going into a meeting of the North Atlantic Council, the alliance's political decision-making body.

"What Russia is doing now in Ukraine violates the principles of the United Nations charter. It threatens peace and security in Europe. Russia must stop its military activities and threats," he said.

The NATO secretary general said he called the meeting "because of Russia's military action in Ukraine and because of President (Vladimir) Putin's threats against this sovereign nation."

Rasmussen said officials will discuss Russia's activities in the Crimean Peninsula and "their implications for European peace and security and for NATO's relationship with Russia."

AP