MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed Monday that the NATO-Russia council would meet at the ambassadorial level in the near future.
"Indeed, after a nearly two-year hiatus due to NATO's policy of curtailing political dialogue and its unilateral decision to suspend the practical cooperation with our country, Brussels has initiated a NATO-Russia Council meeting at the level of permanent representatives. Such a meeting is planned to be held in the near future," Zakharova said.
According to the spokeswoman, the agenda for the meeting includes the Ukrainian crisis in light of the necessity of implementation of Minsk agreements, the situation in Afghanistan and regional terrorist threats.
"Another important topic for us will be discussed in detail – the risks which arise as a result of the unprecedented buildup of NATO’s military activity, including in the regions bordering Russia," she said.
The format was suspended in 2014 amid stained relations over the Ukrainian crisis, as the alliance accused Moscow of the involvement in the conflict.
Russia has repeatedly dismissed the allegations of meddling in Ukrainian affairs and stressed that NATO's military expansion and increased presence near Russian borders undermines regional security.
