MOSCOW, December 4. The leadership of the Alliance after the incident with the Russian su-24 has received a signal that the “reckless actions” of Turkey could have implications for all member countries. This was stated in interview to TV channel “Russia 24” Russia’s permanent representative at NATO Alexander Grushko.
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© Alexander Elistratov/TASS archive
Grushko: NATO’s “politically closed” Ankara in the incident with su-24
“Turkey leads the line at all in middle Eastern Affairs, and with regard to Syria and it is discussed at all sites. Most importantly, it seems to me that they (NATO) felt that such reckless actions of Turkey, as the decision about the destruction of the Russian aircraft may have very serious long-term consequences for the Alliance,” he said.
According to Grushko, an official statement NATO “Turkey” suggests that “NATO would like to distance themselves from the incident and that NATO understands all the risks associated with the criminal action which was taken by the Turkish side”.
The Russian permanent representative at NATO is confident that NATO can no longer support Turkey since the emergence of evidence of the deliberate destruction of the Russian bomber, Turkey has lost the advantage “to push their own version”.
“While political considerations play a role, views of the Atlantic solidarity, we see that the Alliance is seriously concerned about the possible consequences,” he concluded. While Grushko is convinced that the Alliance “is not vouchsafed to publicly condemn Turkey for this violation”.
Russia cannot ignore NATO’s decision to strengthen the air defense of Turkey after the incident with the downed Russian bomber, also said Grushko.
“A political decision associated with the emergence in the region is very serious military factor. And of course, it cannot be ignored,” – said Grushko.
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© EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET
NATO will continue to support the air defense of Turkey
“It is quite clear that Turkey is not in the line of fire, and there is no classical risks and threats for Turkey. The question arises: from whom NATO is going to protect Turkey?” he continued.
“We have to look closely to see what the character of this gain, and against whom it is being done,” said Grushko.
On 1 December the foreign Ministers of NATO decided to strengthen the air defense of Turkey. “In particular, the UK announced the sending to Turkey of their aircraft,” – said the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
The attack on the Russian su-24M and its consequences
November 24, fighter from the Turkish air force F-16 shot down Russian bomber su-24M, which, according to Ankara, had violated the country’s airspace near the border with Syria.
In response, the defense Ministry said the su-24M was in the skies over Syria and crossed the border by the Turkish aircraft. The crew of the downed bomber managed to eject, however, commander Oleg Peshkov was killed by ground fire. Navigator Konstantin Muratina saved the Russian military and taken to a Russian base. During the operation to evacuate the pilots of the su-24M was lost helicopter Mi-8. In the death of a marine-contract employee Alexander Pozynich.
Putin called the attack a Turkish air force aircraft of the Russian Federation, who participated in anti-terrorist operations in Syria and did not pose a threat to Turkey, “the stab in the back” of Russia.
The Russian head of state on 28 November signed a decree on the temporary ban from 1 January 2016 to hire workers from among the citizens of Turkey. With the new year also suspends the agreement with Turkey on visa-free regime. A ban or restriction on the import into Russia of certain goods from Turkey (the list will be determined by the government). In addition, it is not recommended to tour operators to sell trips to Turkey. The government was instructed to strengthen control over the activities of the Turkish road carriers on the territory of Russia in order to ensure security.
About the work of the Council Russia-NATO
Grushko did not expect in the near future convening of the Council NATO-Russia (NRC).
“I don’t think will soon be followed by some concrete steps from NATO”, – he told, answering a question about the real actions of the Alliance on the resumption of the dialogue within the NRC.
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© Alexander Shcherbak/TASS
Lavrov: Moscow is ready to carrying out of the Council Russia-NATO
As the diplomat stressed, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, speaking about the work of the Council, “more focused on what the NRC as an institution is not closed, it continues to exist; that the decisions taken in NATO, about the limit contacts and dialogue with the Russian Federation itself did not affect the NRC as a mechanism”.
According to Grushko, the Alliance has “widespread support” for the return to work of the NRC, “to relieve the stress that has developed in relations with Russia as a result of actions by NATO itself”.
December 2, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that in the organization . The Minister of foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov, commenting on this statement said that Moscow “has never refused to work in this format.”
The Council NATO-Russia was established in accordance with the signed at the summit in Rome on 28 may 2002 by the Declaration “Relations Russia-the NATO: New quality”. The Council is a mechanism for consultation, coordination of common approaches, cooperation, joint decisions and actions of Russia and States-members of the Alliance on a wide range of security issues in the Euro-Atlantic region. The last time at the diplomatic level he met in June last year. Currently, the dialogue in this format is almost frozen due to the conflict in Ukraine.
On NATO enlargement
NATO enlargement will lead to serious consequences for European security, said Grushko.
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© Jonathan Ernst/Pool via AP archive
Stoltenberg: NATO invited Montenegro to the Alliance
“Although, it would seem that the Montenegrin component will be insignificant and militarily and politically, in fact there will be grave consequences for European security, because NATO has confirmed the policy which it pursued for many years,” he said.
According to Grushko, NATO once again proves its inability to fundamental changes in the field of security, and it is dangerous for the international community. “Instead of adapt to the collective needs, she continues to push the agenda that was inherited from the epoch of confrontation”, – he noted.
“Prevailing geopolitical considerations, and not considerations of real security,” the diplomat said. According to him, for inclusion in the Alliance of Montenegro is the desire to show toughness, the relevance of old policies of “open doors”.
He also added that the inclusion of Montenegro in NATO as a means of destabilization in the Western Balkans in General and in the country in particular, since the foreign policy of the country also engages “in operations in the Baltic States to deter Russia”.
“The one resource of good neighbourliness that was in the Russian-Montenegrin relations, it will simply disappear. This will impact very seriously on the totality of political, economic and other relations “, – said Grushko.
The foreign Ministers of 28 countries-members of NATO invited Montenegro to begin accession talks at the Alliance on Wednesday. It is expected that the country will be able to join NATO, after one or two years.
On the work of the NATO mission in Afghanistan
Grushko considers the unproductive work of the NATO mission in Afghanistan. The CSTO will need to strengthen efforts in the Afghan direction.
“This decision significantly enhanced the potential of the CSTO in the Afghan direction,” – said Grushko the Council’s decision to extend the NATO mission Resolute Support (Resolute support) in Afghanistan until the end of 2016.
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© AP Photo/Virginia Mayo
Stoltenberg: NATO is no longer needed in transport cooperation with Russia on Afghanistan
According to him, NATO’s role in the region “reduced to zero”. Launched in early 2015 international operation “did not achieve any stabilization or allowed to create such conditions, when the Afghans themselves could be responsible for the security of their own country”. “The situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate,” – said the diplomat. The militants of the radical movement “Taliban” and banned in the Russian Federation the terrorist group “Islamic state” (ISIS) taking over more and more territories. But recent events in Kunduz showed that the army of Afghanistan is not able to cope with the security challenges, he argued Grushko. “And this is most directly related to the strategic interests of Russia and our allies,” he stressed.
According to Grushko, NATO agreed to establish the system of contacts with the CSTO and other players, which could help stabilize the country, “for ideological reasons”.
Thus, “responsibility for the situation in Afghanistan will have to be borne primarily by the Afghans. And this will enhance the role of all neighbors”, said the diplomat.
December 1, NATO extended the mission of the international trainers and advisers Alliance “Resolute support” in Afghanistan until the end of 2016. Currently the mission is attended by 12 thousand people, of whom about half from the United States.
