A new Russian military doctrine that considers the NATO a prime enemy brought the former Cold War foes to a collision course on Saturday, February 6.
“I have to say that this new doctrine does not reflect the real world,” NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told Reuters.
"I was surprised to read that Russia considers NATO a main threat in its new doctrine.”
Russia unveiled on Friday a new military doctrine that considers the alliance a prime enemy.
The document listed first among "chief outside military threats" the fact that NATO is attempting to "globalize its functions in contravention of international law."
It also cited attempts to bring “military infrastructure of NATO members closer to Russian borders, including by expanding the bloc.”
Russia is angry with NATO expansion plans to include former Soviet republics Georgia and Ukraine, which Moscow still considers part of its sphere of influence.
The document also names other threats as creation and deployment of missile-defense systems and “high-precision conventional weapon systems.”
“It does not reflect realities and it is in clear contradiction with all our endeavors to improve the relationship between NATO and Russia,” Rasmussen said of the Russian doctrine.
Relations between NATO and Moscow plunged to a post-Cold War low after the August 2008 war between Russia and Georgia.
Efforts were made to gradually resume formal contacts with no major achievement in this concern.
Afghanistan Help
Rasmussen said the NATO is keen to develop a strategic partnership with Russia and to expand cooperation in Afghanistan.
“NATO is not an enemy of Russia,” he stressed.
The NATO chief said that he would raise the new military doctrine during a coming meeting in Munich with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Rasmussen called on Moscow to foster cooperation with the NATO on war-torn Afghanistan.
“I have urged Russia to step up their engagement in Afghanistan,” he said.
Following US President Barack Obama’s visit to Russia last July, Moscow accepted Washington request to allow land transit of non-lethal NATO supplies to Afghanistan.
It also pledged to do all it can to help the alliance's troubled Afghan effort and allow new routes for the US to avoid Taliban attacks on supply routes in Pakistan.
However, Moscow failed to answer to the NATO request to expand transit options and military training for Afghan troops.
“I have presented proposals to the Russians when I visited Moscow in December as to how they could further their engagement,” Rasmussen said.
“I think Russia and we share the same interests in success in Afghanistan.”
“I have to say that this new doctrine does not reflect the real world,” NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told Reuters.
"I was surprised to read that Russia considers NATO a main threat in its new doctrine.”
Russia unveiled on Friday a new military doctrine that considers the alliance a prime enemy.
The document listed first among "chief outside military threats" the fact that NATO is attempting to "globalize its functions in contravention of international law."
It also cited attempts to bring “military infrastructure of NATO members closer to Russian borders, including by expanding the bloc.”
Russia is angry with NATO expansion plans to include former Soviet republics Georgia and Ukraine, which Moscow still considers part of its sphere of influence.
The document also names other threats as creation and deployment of missile-defense systems and “high-precision conventional weapon systems.”
“It does not reflect realities and it is in clear contradiction with all our endeavors to improve the relationship between NATO and Russia,” Rasmussen said of the Russian doctrine.
Relations between NATO and Moscow plunged to a post-Cold War low after the August 2008 war between Russia and Georgia.
Efforts were made to gradually resume formal contacts with no major achievement in this concern.
Afghanistan Help
Rasmussen said the NATO is keen to develop a strategic partnership with Russia and to expand cooperation in Afghanistan.
“NATO is not an enemy of Russia,” he stressed.
The NATO chief said that he would raise the new military doctrine during a coming meeting in Munich with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Rasmussen called on Moscow to foster cooperation with the NATO on war-torn Afghanistan.
“I have urged Russia to step up their engagement in Afghanistan,” he said.
Following US President Barack Obama’s visit to Russia last July, Moscow accepted Washington request to allow land transit of non-lethal NATO supplies to Afghanistan.
It also pledged to do all it can to help the alliance's troubled Afghan effort and allow new routes for the US to avoid Taliban attacks on supply routes in Pakistan.
However, Moscow failed to answer to the NATO request to expand transit options and military training for Afghan troops.
“I have presented proposals to the Russians when I visited Moscow in December as to how they could further their engagement,” Rasmussen said.
“I think Russia and we share the same interests in success in Afghanistan.”
