BRUSSELS - Political dialogue between Russia and NATO is still possible, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference in Brussels on Dec. 2.
There is still every chance of political talks. Besides, Russia and NATO are still maintaining contact at the level of their military, he said.
According to Stoltenberg, for the dialogue to continue both sides should demonstrate the will and maintain substantive contact, both at the military and diplomatic levels, he said.
We decided to suspend all practical ties but keep our political dialogue open. Both parties need to show the will, these contacts must be filled with substances, and we would certainly like to see more transparency and feel greater predictability in order to prevent the situation getting out of control, he said
The NATO-Russia Council (NRC) has met twice since the crisis began, he recalled.
NATO is closely watching the intensified activities of the Russian Air Force close to the alliance’s airspace frontiers, the secretary general added.
A day earlier Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Meshkov said the NATO-Russia relationship is not beyond the point of no return yet.
“The point of no return has not been passed. I think it’s in the interests of both sides not to fuel tensions, but to actively work together on real threats to European and global security. As for Russia, we are ready for it,” he said in an interview with Interfax.
