Russia launches Draft agreement with NATO on security measures

Russia released a draft agreement it proposed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) on security measures for both the sides.

Key Points

• The document notes that, Russia and NATO shall not strengthen their security individually, including in the framework of military alliances of coalitions and international organisations at the expense of security of others.
• Both the sides settle disputes by peaceful means and refrain themselves from use or threat of force. They should exercise restraint in military planning and conducting drills in order to avoid dangerous situations.
• Russia and the NATO member states would also be banned from deploying military forces and weapons on the territory of any other countries in Europe.
• They would be prohibited from deploying land-based intermediate- and short-range missiles in areas that allows them to reach each other’s territory.
• Russia also asked NATO to stop further enlargement, including accession of Ukraine, as well as to cease any military activity in Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance of 1 Eurasian country, 2 North American countries and 28 European countries. It implements the North Atlantic Treaty, signed on April 4, 1949. NATO comprises a system of collective security, wherein its independent member states agree to mutual defense against the attack by any external party. NATO is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

Russia-NATO relations

Relations between Russia and NATO military alliance were established in 1991 within the framework of North Atlantic Cooperation Council. They joined the Partnership for Peace Programme in 1994. Since then, both the sides have signed multiple important agreements on cooperation. Russia-NATO Council was established in 2002 to handle security issues and joint projects.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2021