MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia expects that NATO-proposed consultations would emphasize the need to avoid an arms race in Europe, Anatoly Antonov told Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta.
"The [desirable] result of such consultations should be a consensus on what needs to be done to avoid further confrontations and an arms race in Europe."
"We suggested that NATO countries should continue opinion exchange with Moscow, say, in September of this year on the military and political situation in Europe taking into account decisions of the Warsaw Summit," Anatoly Antonov said.
"It is vital that, despite the outstanding differences, we expressed willingness to hold a constructive dialogue on issues of mutual interest," he noted.
Since 2014, NATO has been building up its military presence in eastern European countries bordering Russia, using Moscow's alleged interference in Ukraine's internal conflict as a pretext for the move. Moscow has repeatedly denied the claims and warned the alliance that its military buildup along Russia’s borders is provocative and could threaten regional and global stability.
