Moscow, – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko on Thursday said NATO has failed to adapt to the world’s new security situation and counters nonexistent threats instead of addressing the real challenges of our time.
“The alliance does not integrate into comprehensive international efforts to neutralize new threats and challenges and is tackling alleged threat from the East, which does not exist,’’ Grushko told newsmen.
The diplomat indicated that as part of its fight against imaginary threats NATO might re-establish two of its commands.
“One of which will be protecting lines of communication, which are allegedly threatened by Russia, while the second one should be a military analogue of the Schengen Area ensuring the free movement of forces and resources,’’ Grushko said.
The deputy foreign minister indicated that Russia was willing to engage in a dialogue with NATO, stressing at the same time that it would not allow the bloc to infringe upon the country’s national interests.
“It takes two to tango. We have not cut [any ties], we are ready for a dialogue.
“But if NATO harms our national interests, we will defend these interests in a manner required by the situation,’’ Grushko emphasised.
The NATO-Russia relations have been complicated over the past years, as NATO has set a sustainable course for the alliance’s expansion by engaging Eastern European states since 2014, justifying the expansion as a response to Russia’s alleged meddling in the Ukrainian conflict.
However, Moscow has repeatedly refuted these allegations.