WASHINGTON After two decades of trying to build a partnership with Russia, NATO now feels compelled to start treating Moscow as an adversary, the alliance's second-ranking official said Thursday.
"Clearly the Russians have declared NATO as an adversary, so we have to begin to view Russia no longer as a partner but as more of an adversary than a partner," said Alexander Vershbow, the deputy secretary-general of NATO.
In a question-and-answer session with a small group of reporters, Vershbow said Russia's annexation of Crimea and its apparent manipulation of unrest in eastern Ukraine have fundamentally changed the NATO-Russia relationship.
"In central Europe, clearly we have two different visions of what European security should be like," Vershbow, a former U.S. diplomat and onetime Pentagon official, said. "We still would defend the sovereignty and freedom of choice of Russia's neighbors, and Russia clearly is trying to re-impose hegemony and limit their sovereignty under the guise of a defense of the Russian world."
In April, NATO suspended all "practical civilian and military cooperation" with Russia, although Russia has maintained its diplomatic mission to NATO, which was established in 1998.
The crisis over Ukraine and its implications for U.S. and NATO relations with Russia has become a major point of concern for top Obama administration officials, including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who spoke by phone Monday to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu about Russia's intentions in Ukraine. Aides said Hagel was assured that Russia has no intention of invading.
Hagel is scheduled to speak Friday at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars on European security in the context of the Ukraine crisis and the deepening chill in relations with Moscow.
Vershbow said NATO, created 65 years ago as a bulwark against the former Soviet Union, is considering new defensive measures aimed at deterring Russia from any aggression against NATO members along its border, such as the Baltic states that were once part of the Soviet Union, Vershbow said.
"We want to be sure that we can come to the aid of these countries if there were any, even indirect, threat very quickly before any facts on the ground can be established," he said.
To do that, NATO members will have to shorten the response time of its forces, he said.
Read this article:
NATO official says Russia must now be viewed as more of an enemy than a partner
- NATO Protesters Receive 5- To 8-Year Prison Terms [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO 3 get prison terms ranging from 5 to 8 years [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Nato News [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO - New World Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO - State [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO: Definition from Answers.com - Answers - The Most ... [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- European observers detained in Ukraine are branded 'Nato spies' - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Furious Russia Proposes Retaliation Against NATO Countries! - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Latvia: US troops arrive in Baltics for NATO drill - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- No NATO. May 2012. Archive. Chicago, Il - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Erkkio Tuomioja: "Nato suojaa Suomea meteoriiteilta". - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- US troops arrive in Latvia for NATO exercises: Baltic states concerned by Russian military threat - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Voglio andare a vivere a Laveno dove e' nato Pozzetto - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- OcaqTv - Rusiya NATO srhdini pozdu -- F-16-lar havaya qalxd - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Men of War Assault Squad Cold War Mod - NATO vs Warsaw Pact - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- US troops in Poland: American soldiers arrive for NATO exercises in response to Russia threat - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Ancona 23-04-14 PdCI - La crisi dell'Ucraina, la NATO e l'UE: pericoli di guerra e lotta x la Pace - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Eastermonday Peace ralley NATO Bchel germany 21.04.2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- How to change Gear 2 Strap NATO no tool needed - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- CNN: NATO Scrambles Fighter Jets To Investigate Russian Bombers! - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO to deploy recon flights over Poland [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Marine Le Pen: Vyvediem Franczsko z NATO - francztina, rutina - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Warum NATO/USA Russland einkreisen und erobern wollen - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- 5 NATO troops killed in Kandahar Afghanistan UK's helicopter crash - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- NATO troops killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Prostittas priecjas par NATO karavriem Latvij - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Slovakia: NATO exercises in Central Europe - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- NATO - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- MV Bill - A Luz #PersianaBaixaMix (prod. DJ Nato pk) Part. @KmillaCdd - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- "NATO 3" individuals sentenced - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Conversation: NATO's Evolving Mission - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- NATO planes chase out Russian bombers - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- NATO military response 'almost unthinkable' [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- NATO supply trucks stuck in Pakistan - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- NATO News and Video - FOX News Topics - FOXNews.com [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Poland: French Rafale fighter jets join NATO force - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- RAF Deploys Typhoon Jets To Bolster Nato Air Policing Mission - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- DatSyn News - USA And NATO Moving Closer To War With Russia - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Germany: Pro-Russians rally against NATO in Frankfurt - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Rasmussen: No need for NATO in Syria - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- BREAKING: UK Helicopter Crashes, 5 NATO Troops Dead in Afghanistan - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- NATO Jets Intercept Russian Nuclear Bombers in North Sea Region... - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- NATO exercise scenario: Naval response to invasion of allied country [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- April 28 2014 Breaking News NATO minesweepers set off on Baltic deployment - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- WW3 - Its Official, SYRIAN TERRORISTS trained by ISRAEL & NATO to cause VIOLENCE and TERRO - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- NATO forces serve world bankers: Analyst - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- NATO Fest 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- 2 NATO troops killed in attack in eastern Afghanistan - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- NATO Holds Largest Post Cold War Drill Near Russia's Borders - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- 65 years of NATO delivering democracy.in a full metal jacket - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- AZD FEAT NATO - FREESTYLE BPC - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- RAF Typhoons Arrive in Lithuania to Reinforce NATO Air Policing Mission - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- RAF Jets Respond To Ukraine Crisis 28.04.14 - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- NATO expansion to Ukraine will be grievous mistake for US - last US ambassador to USSR - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- Sunday 4/27/2014 - Tarpley Points Out Fake-OSCE Observers Are Actually NATO Military Officers - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- Helicopter crash kills 5 NATO troops in south Afghanistan - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- Are doctors lying to you? Russia and NATO, Google Doodles - DKNews with 8byte - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- i am NATO - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- AP Interview: Tymoshenko calls for NATO membership - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- STEFANO BORGONOVO:ATTACCANTE NATO IL DOCUMENTARIO - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- RAF Deploys Typhoon Jets To Bolster NATO Air Policing Mission [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO opens second Baltic air base in Estonia with 4 Danish fighter jets amid Ukraine crisis [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO triples fighter jets in Baltic countries - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Lithuania: US hands over NATO air patrol to UK - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Ukraine: Kerry announces more support from NATO towards coup - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO Power Turkish Military Industry Made in Turkey in 5 Years - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Scoring Political Points? NATO bolsters forces in Eastern Europe - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Arctic Trucks Hilux Matte NATO - Best Tuning - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Putin: NATO Chief Rasmussen secretly taped, leaked meeting when he was Danish PM - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Russia Accuses NATO of 'Provocative' Actions - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Video: US deploys troops to Estonia - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO & its future NAZI headquarters - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- OSCE team in Ukraine NATO spies: Analyst - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO's soft war on Russia [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- NATO allies take over Baltic mission from Air Force [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- NATO official says Russia now an adversary [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- NATO official: Russian moves in Ukraine pose 'grave challenge' to global security system [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization - The New York Times [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- About the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]