BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — The committee chairman said a dialogue at political and military level was necessary to avoid "strategical miscalculations" or incidents similar to downing of a Russian Su-24 attack aircraft by Turkey in November over an alleged airspace violation.
"Since I assumed my position in June, I have made several efforts to use this channel of military communication. Up to now, there is a lack of will on the Russian side to have that communication," Pavel told journalists on Thursday after the 174th Military Committee in Chiefs of Defense Session.
According to Pavel, the lack of contact does not mean NATO-Russia communications line is closed.
Earlier this month, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the country's revised national security strategy stipulated Moscow's readiness to develop relations with NATO on the basis of equality to enhance global security in the Euro-Atlantic area, but the depth of such relations would depend on the alliance's commitment to take into account the legitimate interests of Russia and to respect international law.
