MOSCOW, June 30 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s permanent representative to NATO, Alexander Grushko, said the alliance’s extension of halting practical cooperation with Russia is unconstructive and contradicts the interests of cooperation on issues of global security.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said earlier the alliance plans to extend its non-cooperation with Russia over the issue of Ukraine and Crimea.
“Russia believes this is a non-constructive step. It contradicts the interests of cooperation in the issues of global security,” Grushko told RIA Novosti.
“If the countries of NATO are really interested in participating in international efforts under the leading role of the UN Security Council to settle crises, in the eradication of general challenges and threats, then the cooperation factor with Russia is key,” Grushko said.
Grushko stressed that despite the NATO’s recent decision Russia had not withdrawn from any sphere of cooperation with the alliance, and would continue to implement all projects aimed at ensuring international safety.
NATO froze all military and civilian cooperation with Russia in April as a response to the country’s alleged role in the Ukrainian crisis, although Russia has repeatedly denied it was in any way involved in the issue.
Despite the halt in practical cooperation, NATO said political dialogue between the two sides would still be maintained at the ambassadorial level and higher.
