Washington: Russia has nothing to fear from NATO, and a Kremlin military document naming the alliance's expansion as a key threat is unfounded, said NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
"I don't think this doctrine, this statement, reflects
the real world," Rasmussen said.
"NATO is not an enemy of Russia, NATO has no intention
whatsoever to attack Russia."
Earlier in February, the Kremlin published a strategy
paper listing first among "chief outside military threats" the
fact that NATO is attempting to "globalise its functions in
contravention of international law."
Rasmussen said he wanted to see better cooperation
between NATO and Russia on a range of issues of mutual
concern, including Afghanistan and the development of a
missile defence shield.
"I would very much like to see the US missile defence
system, NATO missile defence system, and a Russian missile
defence system with the aim to coordinate a common shield
against hostile missiles," he said yesterday.
Russia has clashed with the United States and a number of
European countries over plans to establish a missile defence
shield that Moscow says is targeted at its soil.
NATO and the US deny that, saying the shield is intended
to counter the threat posed by Iranian weapons systems.
Rasmussen acknowledged disagreements between the Atlantic
alliance and Russia, particularly over Georgia, but said
cooperation was still possible if Moscow was willing.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 10:31