Brussels, Belgium – Russian Ambassador to Brussels Denis Gonchar confirmed that emergency communication channels with NATO are open.
This is despite the recent escalating tensions between Russia and NATO, against the backdrop of Russian marches penetrating the airspace of NATO member states.
The ambassador added that the two armies exchange messages periodically.
But he explained that these messages were brief and related to specific incidents.
He also considered that NATO must abandon its “hostile line in order to return to normal relations between the two sides”.
Ignoring Russia’s legitimate interests
In addition, he stressed that “the current situation, with the alliance escalating tensions on the eastern flank, sending weapons to Kiev, exploring options for sending NATO forces to Ukraine and providing security guarantees only to Kiev, confirms once again that Brussels continues to completely ignore Russia’s legitimate interests”.
The Russian ambassador’s statements came after the Estonian Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that the UN Security Council would hold an emergency meeting on Monday, at its request.
This came after three Russian aircraft violated its airspace.
19 Russian drones violated Polish airspace last week.
Three of them were shot down by Polish and Dutch F-16 and F-35 fighters, a precedent since the establishment of the Defense Alliance (NATO) in 1949.
A few days later, a Russian march also penetrated Romanian airspace, leading to escalating European condemnation.
