” NATO’s expansion without control creates mess… “
NATO’s expansion has led to an unprecedented level of tension over the last 30 years in Europe, judging by some statements made at the Security Conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, speaking in Munich.
Lavrov told NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that he supports the resumption of military cooperation with the alliance. Without it, the diplomats’ meetings do not make any sense, he said. “We need to resume [our] military cooperation. [And yet] NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, surrounded by his deputies yesterday, couldn’t say that NATO is ready for this. It’s sad,” Lavrov said.
“NATO’s expansion has led to an unprecedented level of tension over the last 30 years in Europe,” he added.
Russia is not looking for conflicts with anyone, but will always be able to protect its interests, the diplomat said.
“What kind of relationship do we want with the US? One [based on] pragmatism, mutual respect, and an understanding of special responsibility for global stability,” he stated.
Citing a message from one of the most influential 19th-century Russian diplomats to his American counterpart, which said that any conflicting interests could be harmonized through “justice” and “modesty,” Lavrov said that the same approach could strengthen the modern world.
“If everyone adopts that approach, we could overcome the period of post-truth fast and resist information wars imposed on the international community,” he said.
