NATO plans to develop a new strategy for Russia - Politico

The North Atlantic Alliance has begun discussing a new strategy toward Russia. NATO defense ministers will discuss this issue for the first time next week.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to Politico.

The publication reminds that relations between Russia and NATO have deteriorated significantly amid Moscow's aggression against Georgia and Ukraine. Despite this, the Alliance continues to adhere to the fundamental act on mutual relations, cooperation and security with Russia, which was signed in 1997. In it, NATO and Russia recognize a common goal of “building a stable, peaceful and undivided Europe.”

At the same time, the NATO-Russia Council has not been held since 2022. This body was created after the Cold War for security partnerships and joint projects.

“Now NATO is trying to define various elements of the strategy (for Russia - ed.) and advance the debate within the Alliance, which will lead us to issues such as the future of the NATO-Russia Founding Act,” the publication quotes a statement by a senior US government official.

He clarified that now “it is time to develop a new strategy” that will take into account the specific positions of the allies. There is no draft of the strategy yet.

According to the official, the founding act and the NATO-Russia Council “were created for a different era” in NATO-Russia relations.

The newspaper clarifies that discussions on the new strategy have been underway for several months. But next week, this topic will be discussed for the first time at the level of NATO defense ministers. According to the agreements, such a strategy should be developed by the next NATO summit, which will be held in The Hague in June 2025.

At the same time, according to an unnamed NATO diplomat, some Allies fear that a very aggressive new strategy could send a signal that would destabilize Russia. There is also the question of the position of Hungary and Slovakia.

Author - Olena Madiak, 12/10/2024