NATO Chief Offers Talks After Russians’ Expulsion in Spy Probe
NATO Chief Offers Talks After Russians’ Expulsion in Spy Probe
(Bloomberg) -- The head of NATO proposed talks with Russia, after the country cut almost all remaining ties with the Western military alliance in retaliation for the expulsion of eight Russian diplomats earlier this month.
Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of the 30-nation North Atlantic Treaty Organization, told reporters Wednesday that he regretted the Russian move “which does not promote dialogue and mutual understanding.”
“We strongly believe that, especially when tensions are high and things are difficult, it is important to have dialogue,” Stoltenberg said, adding that those expelled “were actually Russian intelligence operatives.” NATO will also continue to assess “how we can further strengthen our deterrence and defense.”
The U.S.-led military alliance on Oct. 6 ordered out eight diplomats from Russia’s representation to NATO for allegedly engaging in espionage. Russia said the allegations were groundless. Russia suspended the operations of its permanent mission to NATO and closed the alliance’s mission and information office in Moscow.
The two sides have been increasingly at odds over Russia’s nuclear rearmament, buzzing of NATO airspace by Russian planes and naval stand-offs.
Separately, European Union defense ministers will hold informal talks on the sidelines of a NATO meeting in Brussels on Thursday to discuss efforts to affirm their common security and defense capabilities -- a push which has triggered concerns within NATO.
A vast majority of EU countries want to boost existing battle groups to make them readier for interventions, according to a senior EU official who declined to be named on confidential talks. The ministers will discuss the so-called Strategic Compass, a roadmap outlining threats and objectives that is due to be presented in draft form next month by Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief.
The blueprint has been given added urgency, in the eyes of many member states, by the debacle over the U.S.-led evacuation from Afghanistan, and the U.S.-led defense pact which saw France lose a massive submarine deal.
Most EU member states want to make battle groups, which have never been deployed, easier to mobilize by extending their standby periods, and holding exercises, said the official. The aim is for a rapid entry force some 5,000-strong.
The roadmap’s initial draft is also due to introduce more flexibility on decision-making, amid concern that the EU requirement for unanimity slows down and even blocks attempts to deploy such forces. Borrell is likely to suggest the use of constructive abstention, allowing a country or several countries to abstain without preventing others from going ahead, said the official.
©2021 Bloomberg L.P.