NATO does not accept annexation of Crimea, but this is not argument to isolate Russia - Stoltenberg

18:12, 11.07.2018 1 min read

 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that the North Atlantic Alliance does not accept Russia's annexation of Crimea, but this, in his opinion, is not an argument to isolate Russia.

"We don't accept this illegal annexation of Crimea. We don't accept cyber, propaganda, interference in domestic political processes […] But for me that's not an argument for isolating Russia or to stop talking to Russia," Stoltenberg said at the NATO summit in Brussels on Wednesday.

In his opinion, quite the contrary, when tensions are high, it is even more important to talk to Russia and try to reduce tensions.

Stoltenberg expressed confidence in the need for dialogue with Russia, "even if we [NATO] do not believe in a better relationship with Russia."

"In the foreseeable future, we have to talk to Russia to manage a difficult relationship," he said.