The relations between NATO and Russia is estimated worse even in the Cold War era.
Russian deputy FM, Alexander Grushko told that the communication has stopped between two sides, Ria Novosti published.
“Civil and military cooperation has ceased completely. NATO itself has dropped any positive agenda in relations with Russia. It does not exist. And so far there are no signs that NATO knows how to get out of this deadlock,” Grushko stated.
Since 2014, relations between NATO and Moscow have rapidly deteriorated and the military bloc claimed there can be no “business as usual” after Moscow’s reunification with Crimea. Hitting back, Grushko said that confrontation-seeking has become “business as usual” for the Western alliance.
“NATO has gone too far in pumping confrontation with Russia, and it is not yet clear when and where common sense will prevail,” the diplomat said, adding that the old, trusty ‘Russian threat’ narrative turned out to be the best thing to reinvigorate the alliance.
One top US general is pushing for greater cooperation between the nuclear adversaries, urging US officials to seek “more communication” with their Russian counterparts.
.jpg)
“It would ensure that we understand each other and why we are doing what we’re doing,” said Curtis Scaparrotti, four-star US Army general and the top NATO commander for Europe.
“It doesn’t have to be a lot,” Scaparrotti told the Associated Press on Sunday, adding that “communication is a very important part of deterrence.”
“During the Cold War, we understood each other’s signals. We talked,” said Scaparrotti, who has commanded US forces in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. “I’m concerned that we don’t know them as well today.”
If the relationship is to change course, retired Navy admiral James Stavridis said, dialogue is essential.
“We are in danger of stumbling backward into a Cold War that is to no one’s advantage,” Stavridis said. “Without steady, political-level engagement between the defense establishments, the risk of a true new Cold War rises steadily.”
