NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that relations with Russia are of paramount importance for the Alliance. His words transmits CNN.
The Secretary General stressed that NATO seeks to adhere to two main directions in cooperation with Moscow. “We must be strong in terms of defense, and at the same time we need a dialogue with Russia,” he noted.
According to Stoltenberg, the North Atlantic Alliance intends to continue to develop relations with the Russian side, even if improvements in this area are not foreseen. “Russia is our neighbor, you need to talk with them,” he concluded.
Secretary General also appreciated the decision of the US President Joe Bayden to consult with the leaders of NATO member states before meeting with Russian colleague Vladimir Putin. He recalled that the important role of the Alliance – coordination of efforts to collective security issues.
June 14 reported that NATO countries do not seek confrontation and do not pose a threat to Russia. The United States Secretary General announced the readiness of the Alliance to conduct a dialogue with Moscow to avoid unpredictable escalation. And also noted that the system of missile defense (Pro) NATO is not directed against Russia.
The summit of the leaders of Russia and the United States will be held at Villa La Grunge in Swiss Geneva on June 16.