MOSCOW, April 9. /TASS/. Russia hopes for a focused discussion of initial reasons for worsened situation with European security at meeting of Russia-NATO Council, though does not expect a breakthrough in relations with the alliance, the country's Ambassador to NATO Alexander Grushko said in response to a question from TASS on Saturday.
"I am not expecting any breakthrough from this meeting," he said."But we hope for a focused discussion, including about the initial reasons for the crisis not only in relations between Russia and NATO, but about the initial reasons of the crisis, which has affected the regional and European security.".
Regular dialogue
Returning to a regular dialogue with NATO will not happen for as long as the alliance re-considers the policy of Russia's restraint, Russia's Ambassador to NATO Alexander Grushko told reporters on Saturday.
"Lately, NATO’s some countries through statements of their political representatives at rather high levels have been saying a lack of dialogue between Russia and NATO is not normal from the point of view of the European security," the diplomat said. "Let me remind you, certain statements came, for example, from the German foreign minister."
"We have never refused from Councils (Russia-NATO), and the previous one was in May of 2014," he continued. "Right now is ready the agenda, which will touch upon most important factors related to the European security, including the crisis in Ukraine, first of all from the perspective of the Minsk agreements’ implementation."
The parties will also discuss military activities and work of NATO, he said.
"There is no returning to deals with NATO 'as usually' for as long as the alliance re-considers its policy of Russia's restraint and stops inflating the myth about a military threat from Russia," he said. "This does not contradict only with objectives and targets of the Russia-NATO Council but also with the core interests of the Europeans - the interests of security.".
Chances for new meetings of Russia-NATO Council depend on results of upcoming meeting
Russia will make a decision on participation in new meetings of the Russia-NATO Council after it analyzes results of the upcoming meeting, Russia's Ambassador to NATO Alexander Grushko said replying to a question from TASS.
"Meetings of the Russia-NATO Council are organized at the parties agree," he said. "After the upcoming meeting, we shall analyze the situation and will take a decision whether it is worth having the Council meetings in future."
As the diplomat said, the decision to freeze contact with Russia had been taken not by Russia.
"The present crisis of relations between Russia and NATO is caused by NATO’s decision to stop cooperation on all projects, and as of today we do not have a single active project," he said.
The refusal from effective and promising projects in fighting drug trafficking and in support for Afghanistan’s armed forces "not only affects efforts of the international community in fighting real threats and challenges, but also contradicts with interests of the Europeans," he said.