Rasmussen meant April 1 decision to suspend practical cooperation with Russia in his statement made in Kyiv on Aug 7 - Grushko
BRUSSELS. Aug 8 (Interfax) - In his statement made in Kyiv on August 7, which said that NATO is stopping cooperation with Russia and which has been reproduced by the media, NATO Secretary-General Anders Rasmussen apparently referred to the April 1 decision to suspend practical cooperation with Russia, Alexander Grushko, Permanent Representative of Russia to NATO, said in an interview with Interfax in Brussels.
"Now, before the NATO summit in Wales, a debate is going on on how to proceed with Russia now. There are supporters of the tough line, who are telling scary stories of a "Russian threat' but there are also reasonable people, who understand that stability in Europe and the Atlantic is impossible without Russia," the diplomat said.
"If NATO continues to demonize Russia and justify its policy of expansion and global leadership claims with a "Russian threat,' it may intensify the conflicts in the region and outside it and will lead to new division lines in Europe," Grushko said.
