Stoltenberg: NATO Wants Dialogue With Russia

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

NATO seeks to have a dialogue with Russia, NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said before the opening of the NATO summit in Brussels.

Stoltenberg also said that he welcomes the upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Joe Biden. Despite the deteriorating relations between the alliance with Russia, the organization remains open for a dialogue with Moscow and stands with a unified position, he added.

Stoltenberg also said that the heads of 30 NATO states will hold consultations on the eve of the Russia-US meeting. During the summit, the participants intend to agree on a common position on containing China and approve a new cybersecurity policy.

The NATO summit will take place in Brussels on June 14. During the meeting, the members will discuss the new strategic concept of the alliance until 2030, relations with Russia and China, cyber threats, climate change, and other topics.

Stoltenberg considers the unity of NATO member states to be the most important signal for Russia. “You cannot divide us,” he added.

Speaking about a dual approach to Russia (strong defense on one side and dialogue on the other), NATO Secretary-General noted that NATO leaders will also hold consultations with President Biden ahead of his talks with Putin.