NATO Must Reconsider Position on Russia If Minsk Deal Fulfilled - Belgium

NATO must consider rethinking its position on relations with Russia if the Minsk accord would be fulfilled, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said Saturday.

WARSAW (Sputnik) — It is necessary to keep an open dialogue with Russia, according to the minister.

"I share the position that if Russia agrees for the fulfillment of the Minsk agreements, for the progress in their implementation then we must consider how to change the position from our [NATO] side," Reynders told journalists before the beginning of the second day of NATO summit.

He added that Russia is a valuable partner in such global issues like Syria and Iraq.

Since 2014, NATO has been building up its military presence in Europe, especially in Eastern European countries neighboring Russia, using Moscow’s alleged interference in the Ukrainian conflict as a pretext.

Moscow has repeatedly denied the claims and warned NATO that the military buildup on Russia’s borders is provocative and threatens the existing strategic balance of power.