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NATO, Russia can't simply ignore each other: NATO chief

29 October 2014 03:23 (UTC +04:00)

"During my first weeks in office I have visited both Poland and Turkey. In different ways these Allies exemplify the challenges we face, both to the east and to the south, "said Stoltenberg, who became NATO secretary general on Oct. 1.

He has set up three priorities for the NATO to address current and future security challenges: keeping NATO strong, working with partners to bring more stability to NATO's neighborhood, and keeping the bond between Europe and North America "rock solid".

In light of the Ukraine crisis, he said that "in recent months, the number of NATO jets in the skies over our Eastern Allies has increased five times. We have deployed more ships in the Baltic and the Black Sea. And this year, we are conducting over 200 NATO and national exercises in Europe."

"Russia is NATO's biggest neighbor. And both NATO and Russia are here to stay. So we simply can not ignore each other. One way or the other, we will have a relationship. The question is what kind," Stoltenberg said.

The former Norwegian prime minister stressed, "That only a strong NATO can build a truly constructive and cooperative relationship with Russia."

He said NATO continues to aspire to a cooperative relationship with Russia, but added that "Russia would need to want it, and to take clear steps to make it possible."