NATO chief says not seeking 'new Cold War' with Russia
Last updated on: 03 April,2019 11:15 pm
Stoltenberg addressed to the US Congress during NATO celebrations in Washington.
WASHINGTON (AFP) - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that the alliance was not seeking a new "Cold War" with Russia.
He was talking on the occasion of its 70th anniversary but called for greater efforts at deterrence.
"We do not want a new arms race We do not want a new Cold War But we must not be naive," Stoltenberg said in an address to the US Congress during NATO celebrations in Washington.
Stoltenberg said that the 29-nation alliance needed to prepare for the end of the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which the United States is exiting as it says a Russian system is in violation.
"We do not want to isolate Russia. We strive for better relationship with Russia," Stoltenberg said.
"But even with a better relationship, we still need to manage a difficult one," he said.