BRUSSELS, June 25 (RIA Novosti) - NATO has decided to extend its suspension of practical cooperation with Russia, because it sees no change in Moscow’s behavior, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Wednesday.
“Today, we see no changes in Russia's behavior. So we have no options but to maintain the suspension of practical civilian and military cooperation. There will be no business as usual with Russia until Russia comes back into line with its international obligations,” Rasmussen said.
Earlier in the day, a NATO spokesman said that though the alliance is likely to extend the suspension, it is not planning any new measures against Russia.
“We expect following what we heard in the meeting this morning that ministers will keep the suspension of our practical cooperation with Russia, keeping at the same time political dialogue open with Russia. No new measures,” the source said.
NATO froze all military and civilian cooperation with Russia in April due to the country’s alleged role in the political crisis in Ukraine, which Russia strongly denies. Despite the halt in practical cooperation, NATO said political dialogue between the two sides would still be maintained at the ambassadorial level and higher. The alliance said it would review its relations with Moscow at the June meeting.
