"We cannot simply shut the door on Russia. Russia is our biggest neighbor, and will be important for the future European security… Talking to Russia allows us to clearly communicate our positions and avoid the potential for accidents and misunderstanding," Stoltenberg said at the joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
NATO-Russia relations deteriorated sharply in 2014, following the beginning of an internal conflict in eastern Ukraine and Crimea's reunification with Russia. Since then, NATO has been building up its military presence in Europe, particularly in eastern European countries bordering Russia, using Moscow's alleged interference in Ukraine as a pretext for the move.
Moscow has repeatedly dismissed the Ukraine-related accusations leveled at it, warning that increased NATO activities near the country's borders could undermine regional and global stability.
