NATO – Russia Council, Brussels, 20 April 2016

The NATO-Russia Council (NRC) was conceived in 2002 as a mechanism for consultation, consensus-building, cooperation, joint decision and joint action. Within the NRC, the individual NATO member states and Russia have worked as equal partners on a wide spectrum of security issues of common interest.

Following Russia’s illegal military intervention in Ukraine and its violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in April 2014 the Alliance suspended all practical cooperation between NATO and Russia including in the NRC. However, the Alliance agreed to keep channels of communication open in the NRC and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council at the Ambassadorial level and above, to allow the exchange of views, first and foremost on this crisis.

In April 2016, almost two years after the last meeting of the NRC, NRC members agreed to convene a meeting to take place in Brussels on the 20 April 2016. The discussions looked at the Ukraine conflict, military activities and Afghanistan’s security.

ESO: Background information: US to step up NATO presence in wake of ‘aggressive Russia’ http://www.europeansources.info/record/us-to-step-up-nato-presence-in-wake-of-aggressive-russia/

ESO: Background information: Securing the Nordic-Baltic region http://www.europeansources.info/record/securing-the-nordic-baltic-region/

Politico, 19.04.16: Russia and NATO meet at crossed purposes http://www.politico.eu/article/russia-and-nato-meet-at-crossed-purposes-jens-alexander-grushko/

NATO: Newsroom: News, 08.04.16: Statement by the Secretary General on NATO-Russia Council meeting http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_129818.htm

NATO: Topics: NATO’s relations with Russia http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_50090.htm

EUObserver, 20.04.16: Nato and Russia trade accusations https://euobserver.com/foreign/133145

The Guardian, 20.04.16: Nato-Russia Council talks fail to iron out differences http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/20/nato-russia-council-talks-fail-iron-out-differences-jens-stoltenberg

NATO: Speeches, 20.04.16: Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the NATO-Russia Council meeting http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_129999.htm

NATO: Newsroom: News, 20.04.16: NATO Secretary General stresses the importance of political dialogue after NATO-Russia Council http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_130125.htm

BBC News, 20.04.16: Ukraine differences mark Nato-Russia talks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36094412

Euronews, 20.04.16: NATO-Russia Council holds talks after two years http://www.euronews.com/2016/04/20/nato-russia-council-holds-talks-after-two-years/

Deutsche Welle, 20.04.16: [Opinion] Verbal slugfest at NATO-Russia meeting http://dw.com/p/1IZNd

The Moscow Times, 20.04.16: NATO and Russia Reaffirm Mutual Loathing http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/nato-and-russia-reaffirm-mutual-loathing/566823.html

Sputnik International, 20.04.16: Russia-NATO Meeting: Yet Another 'Big Diplomatic Victory' for Moscow http://sptnkne.ws/ben6

Deutsche Welle, 20.04.16: Merkel says NATO summit with Russia is a 'good sign' http://dw.com/p/1IZNN

Baltic Times, 20.04.16: Lithuania questions Russia's objectives in NATO talks http://www.baltictimes.com/lithuania_questions_russia_s_objectives_in_nato_talks/

Deutsche Welle, 19.04.16: [Interview] Ischinger: 'NATO wants dialogue with Russia' http://dw.com/p/1IYed

Radio Poland, 19.04.16: Manoeuvres by Russian jets designed to divide NATO: Polish minister http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/249352,Manoeuvres-by-Russian-jets-designed-to-divide-NATO-Polish-minister

Politico, 20.04.16: Russia tells NATO to ‘stop spreading like mushrooms’ http://www.politico.eu/article/russia-tells-nato-jens-stoltenberg-to-stop-spreading-like-mushrooms-misunderstanding/

Euro|Topics: Debates, April 2016: Should Nato stand up more to Moscow? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/157844/should-nato-stand-up-more-to-moscow

Chatham House: Expert Comment, 25.04.16: No Going Back to Business as Usual for NATO and Russia https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/no-going-back-business-usual-nato-and-russia

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