“We have taken note of Russia’s decision to suspend the work of its diplomatic mission to NATO and the NATO military liaison mission in Moscow, as well as to close the NATO information office in Moscow. We regret these steps,” the statement said. “NATO’s policy towards Russia remains consistent “We have increased our containment and defense in response to Russia’s aggressive actions, while at the same time we remain open to dialogue, including through the NATO-Russia Council.”
“NATO’s policy towards Russia remains consistent. We have strengthened our deterrence and defence in response to Russia’s aggressive actions, while at the same time we remain open to dialogue, including through the NATO-Russia Council.” 2/2
— Rikard Jozwiak (@RikardJozwiak) October 18, 2021
–
How reported in a statement on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the decision in Moscow was made “in response to the unfriendly actions” of the North Atlantic Alliance.
The Russian Foreign Ministry considers NATO’s decision to revoke the accreditation of eight Russian diplomats – employees of the Russian mission to the Alliance and reduce the staff of the mission as “unfriendly” actions. The media reported that NATO motivated this decision by the hostile activities of the Russian Federation, but the Russian diplomatic mission said that “no explanation of the reasons was provided.”
To maintain contacts with the NATO headquarters in the Russian Federation, the Russian ambassador to Belgium was authorized. The Alliance was offered that such functions in Russia should be performed by one of the ambassadors of NATO countries in Moscow.
Relations between Russia and NATO have become more complicated after the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation in 2014 and the outbreak of hostilities in eastern Ukraine.
In June 2017, the then head of the NATO military committee, General Piotr Pavel, announced that Russia is increasing its military potential on almost all frontsso NATO needs to be on the lookout.
In June 2020, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that actions of Russia and China significantly affect the global balance and create threats to world security. In particular, Russia is “uncontrollably” stepping up its military activity, the Alliance Secretary General noted.
In May 2021, NATO invited Russia to hold a joint council meeting that Moscow ignored.
On June 13, in an interview with CNBC, Stoltenberg said that the Alliance will continue to increase its military capabilities. to counter the aggression of the Russian Federation.
NATO 6 October decided to expel eight members of the mission Russia under the Alliance, whom he considers to be secret intelligence officers. Moscow promised an answer.
Expulsion of eight members of the Russian mission to NATO is not associated with a specific event, but with an increase in malicious activity Russia, Stoltenberg said on October 7.
–
– .
