NATO Secretary General Jen Stoltenberg at a press conference in Brussels (Photo: EPA)

NATO Secretary General Jen Stoltenberg said on Monday in Belgium that NATO continues to be a responsible and transparent actor and remains open to dialogue with Russia. He said the NATO-Russia Council plays an important role as a forum for exchanging dialogue and information, reducing tensions, and increasing predictability. NATO is facing numerous risks and challenges, and planning for the biggest reinforcement since Cold War.

NATO-Russia tension has escalated after Russia annexed Crimea in March, 2014, leading to the suspension of their civil and military cooperation.