WASHINGTON, July 8. / ITAR-TASS/. NATO doesn’t need to create a "specific" image of Russia to "reinvigorate the alliance," Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said at the Atlantic Council in Washington.

"There is no need to create a specific image of Russia to reinvigorate our alliance. It is quite obvious for everybody why NATO need it. We need a strong collective defense to protect our population against any kind of threat," he said.

On the contrary, the secretary general stated that Russia "itself is creating a particular image right now". He recalled that at the Russia-NATO summit in November 2010, it was decided to launch a "truly strategic partnership between NATO and Russia".

“We have done a lot during last 20 years to develop a constructive cooperation with Russia, because we do believe that positive engagement is a right way forward,” he added.

However, Rasmussen said that Russia sees it different and "in its military doctrine considers NATO not as a partner but as an enemy."

Rasmussen stressed that the cooperation with Ukraine be increased. "It's clear to everybody that the Ukrainian armed forces need modernization and further capability development," he noted. 

He said this issue would be discussed at the upcoming NATO summit in Wales.

Rasmussen will meet with US President Barack Obama to discuss the situation in Ukraine on Tuesday.