Stopford: NATO need to restore relations with Russia

Peter Martynychev, Ludmila Chernova. NATO need a speedy restoration of relations with Russia in all spheres of mutual interest, said Last news former Deputy assistant Secretary General of the Commonwealth of strategic communications Michael Stopford.

" It's sad that there was more talk about the freezing of relations and crisis Than attempts to look into the future for the medium and long term, on renewed cooperation is important for both sides problems, " said Stopford. In his vision, to engage as soon as possible." The faster we can move from freezing relations for the resumption of interaction in all spheres of mutual interest, the better ", - said the former official NATO.

Not enhance mutual trust and plans to increase military presence in Eastern Europe, said the head of the Department." It is a sad escalation, because the more steps you take, the less trust on both sides, " He said. Stopford believes that if both sides will continue to tighten position, This can have an effect even on cooperation on Afghanistan. Along with this, the ex-official NATO does Not allow the possibility of a military clash of the Commonwealth with Russia on Ukraine." At this point in time, the citizens are very cautious and don't even argue about It, and I do Not expect this to continue, " said He.

The solution must be a tripartite discussion between Ukraine, Europe and Russia, said the ex-official." The solver will give the chance to protect yourself further measures will bring the people to the interaction that we have had recent years, for example in the framework of the Council Russia-NATO, " said Stopford.

the head of the NATO foreign Ministers in early April told that suspend and practical military cooperation between NATO and Russia over the situation in Ukraine, but keep the contacts of the Council Russia-NATO at the level of ambassadors and above. In June a group of specialists prepared a report to the Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen, which says that a return to the strategic partnership between NATO and Russia is currently impossible. The authors of the report stressed that the Russian Federation and the West is Not involved in the global ideological confrontation and have a common desire in many areas of international relations, for example, in the field of combating terrorism and proliferation of nuclear weapons. The transatlantic community benefits from cooperation with Russia, the document says.

last Sunday, NATO Secretary General, said in an interview to Spanish newspaper Pais that the Alliance wants to help Ukraine in enhancing the country's defence. For example, we are preparing a package of measures that will be shown at the Ukrainian foreign Ministry to the end of the month. It included measures to assist in the reform of the defence sector, as Well as modernization of military power. According to Rasmussen, interaction with Kyiv will have " exceptional practical orientation and enable the Ukraine, for example, to gain access to military trainings of NATO ".

in Ukraine on 22 February, there was a coup d'etat. A number of South-Eastern regions did Not recognize the legitimacy of the new authorities, were launched rallies of supporters of independence. Against who disagree with the policies of the new authorities in Kiev from mid April conducts special military operation with use of aviation and armored vehicles. In the Russian capital this special operation, which has already led to numerous casualties on both sides and among the peaceful residents, called punitive and campaigning Kiev immediately to stop her.


USA on March 17 decided to impose punishment is relatively high position of Russian politicians and Ministers of foreign Affairs of the EU countries have agreed on the introduction of penalties on the Russian and Ukrainian officials, which they consider to be guilty of " undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine ". Then in the American list of nearly 20 Russian bureaucrats, businessmen and parliamentarians. Was enlarged and the sanctions list of the EU.

the authorities of the USA has included in the list of co-owner of the Rossiya Bank of Yuri Kovalchuk, the head of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin, businessmen Boris and Arkady Rotenberg and Gennady Timchenko. In addition, penalties were imposed on the Bank " Russia ".
on April 28, the U.S. included in the sanctions list 7 officials Russia and 17 organizations, and the European Union has expanded its list of fifteen people. In the end, in the sanctions lists appear more than 40 Russian politicians and businessmen, as well as among them from the Crimea. Full list of Russian Citizens and organizations that fall under punishment, -


sections: Politics