Russia and NATO should also discuss problematic issues that cause disagreements among them, not just cooperation, Russia's permanent representative to NATO Alexander Grushko stated.
"We always thought that it is necessary to also discuss complex issues, cooperation issues, and the topics on which we clearly disagree. This line is not exclusive to the activities of NATO - Russia Council. We have the same position on absolutely all international organizations: OSCE, Council of Europe, on our dialogue with the European Union," he said.
"And our fundamental approach did not change here: it is better to talk than not talk," he stressed.
Grushko noted that it is necessary to be realistically about the likely outcome of these discussions, RIA Novosti writes.
The North Atlantic Alliance does not want a new Cold War with Russia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with Poland’s TVN television channel, Sputnik reports.
“We have been watching Russia intensively investing in its armed forces for quite some time now,” Stoltenberg said.
He added that NATO was only responding to this and strengthening its defense, while trying to “avoid escalations” and promoting an open dialogue.
The NATO chief emphasized that the alliance saw no direct threat to its members. “This is not the strategic partnership we tried to build after the end of the Cold War. It’s not a confrontation either, we don’t want a new Cold War,” Jens Stoltenberg noted.
Commenting on NATO’s desire to strengthen its eastern flank, he said that “we are sending a clear signal that NATO will defend its allies against any threats. This is the main message from NATO and its biggest strength.” He added that decisions on NATO’s presence on its eastern flank would be taken during the upcoming summit in Warsaw in July.
