Top Russian MP announces readiness for dialogue with NATO on equal terms

MOSCOW. Nov 29 (Interfax) - Dialogue with NATO is possible only on equal terms and if the alliance stops trying to impose its position on Russia, Chairman of the Russian State Duma's Defense Committee Andrei Kartapolov said.

"Of course, even despite a number of our serious concerns over Western partners' certain activities, we stand ready for constructive and, I want to underscore, equal dialogue," Kartapolov told reporters on Monday when commenting on NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's proposal to hold a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council.

This dialogue is possible "only if they do not speak to us in this bossy, patronizing tone, trying to impose their position on us," he said.

"Russia is an independent state, and no one ought to put pressure on us, as nothing good will come out of such an approach," he said.

"Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Jens Stoltenberg announces NATO's desire to hold a NATO-Russia Council meeting on security, but, at the same time, says that NATO does not intend to curtail its military presence in the region adjoining the Russian borders. Certainly, any dialogue will become pointless in this case," Kartapolov said.

Stoltenberg said earlier that NATO wants to have dialogue with Russia and the proposal to convene a NATO-Russia Council meeting remains on the table.

Stoltenberg said in October that relations between Russia and NATO were at their worst since the Cold War, placing responsibility for this situation on Moscow. He also said that NATO always remains open to dialogue with Russia.