NATO Not Ready to Cooperate Against Real Security Threats: Moscow

MOSCOW, December 3 (Sputnik) — NATO is not ready to develop equality-based cooperation with Moscow in countering real security threats in the Euro-Atlantic region, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

"We realize with deep regret that NATO officials remain hostages of their own politicized approaches and they are not ready to build cooperative ties with Russia based on equal rights and aimed at taking joint action against real rather than imaginary threats to security in the euro-Atlantic region," the ministry said in a statement.

NATO recently released a fact sheet which rebuffs Russia's claims that the alliance played a key role in overthrowing the previous Ukrainian government, backing fascists in Ukraine, and expanding the organization in alleged violation of earlier agreements.

"NATO's fact sheet on the so-called controversial issues in relations with Russia is another attempt to convince the world community that only the alliance's approaches are flawless, and to justify the steps aimed at strengthening NATO military potential as well as expanding its presence near the Russian borders," the statement said.

Relations between Russia and the alliance have deteriorated in the light of the Ukrainian crisis, as NATO has accused Moscow of meddling in Ukraine’s internal affairs, claims repeatedly denied by the Russian side.

Following the reunification of Crimea with Russia in March, NATO boosted military presence along its eastern borders and suspended all practical cooperation with Russia, limiting contact to ambassadorial and higher levels.