BERLIN, December 5. /TASS/. A sustainable security system in Europe is impossible without Russia, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Tuesday.

"Security and stability in Europe in a long-term perspective are possible only with Russia, not despite Russia," he said. "Moreover, if we see a threat of proliferation of nuclear weapons, we can stand up to it only in cooperation with the United States, Russia and China."

However, "trust between Russia and NATO has been eroded to the extent that the sides are ready to doubt the achievement of the nuclear proliferation policy of the 1980s," he admitted. "So far, treaties banning short-and intermediate-range missile in Europe are still in force. The question is how long it will stay in place."

According to the German top diplomat, the continent may find itself on the verge of a new arms race.

"Germany, like nobody else, is interested in preventing such developments as we can be a ground for this confrontation," he stressed.