Russia’s Envoy to NATO: It’s up to NATO to Re-establish Military Dialogue with Russia

PRESS RELEASE

Russia’s Envoy to NATO: It’s Up to NATO to Re-establish Military Dialogue with Russia

Sept. 17, 2015 (EIRNS)—Russia’s Permanent Representative to NATO, Alexander Grushko, reports that his government has recently received "repeated" indications from NATO that it would be a good idea to re-establish NATO-Russia dialogue "at the military level, starting with a direct hotline to exchange information in order to prevent dangerous military incidents." Russia Beyond the Headlines and Sputnik News both reported Grushko’s remarks today, pointing to his statement that, "The Russian side holds no prejudice against such a form of contact."

Grushko underscored that "it wasn’t us that cut off these communication lines, so that if NATO seriously believes that a military dialogue is a serious stabilizing factor, then it should take the first step in restoring the normal dialogue, which has existed between us as part of the Russia-NATO Council for many years now."

Using Moscow’s alleged involvement in the Ukraine conflict, on April 1 of last year, NATO cut off all civilian and military collaboration with Russia.