Russia Ready to Cooperate if NATO Opens Up to Equal Dialogue

NATO's freezing numerous projects with Russia shows that the Cold War mentality has not disappeared. However, if NATO displays eagerness for an equal dialogue, Russia is ready to cooperate.

MOSCOW, January 21 (Sputnik) — The North-Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has chosen the path of confrontation by severing all contact with Russia, the country's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated Wednesday.

"NATO, generally speaking, has chosen a confrontational path. The speed with which NATO members chopped off all contact with the Russian Federation, essentially freezing numerous projects under the NATO-Russia Council, projects that are of mutual interest, shows that the mentality of the Cold War has not disappeared anywhere especially in the minds of our NATO partners," Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow.

The foreign minister added that if NATO shows readiness for an equal dialogue, Russia is "always ready" for cooperation.

Lavrov also said that according to his information, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is open to meet with Russian officials during international events and that Russia would not "evade such a contact."

Relations between Russia and NATO deteriorated in 2014 as NATO increased its military presence in Eastern Europe in response to the Ukrainian crisis, accusing Moscow of interfering in Ukraine’s affairs. Russia, has denied the allegations, expressing concerns over the buildup of NATO forces near its borders.