NATO/Russian Cooperation: Achievements, Challenges and Opportunities

摘要

This project was written before NATO launched airstrikes against Yugoslavia in response to the Kosovo crisis on 23 March 1999 and Russia halted its cooperation with NATO. The NATO- Russia relationship has deteriorated seriously and it is impossible to predict its development and consequences. At the same time there is no alternative to NATO-Russia cooperation on maintaining European security and there can be no security in Europe without a stable Russia. The reactions from both sides indicate that Russia and NATO understand that and would like to have an 'exit strategy' from the current situation. The President of the United States stated in his address to the nation on NATO airstrikes on the 25 March 1999 that Russia 'despite our disagreements, is a constructive partner in the work of building peace'. 'NATO Secretary General Dr. Javier Solana hopes that':...if we disagree tactically in parts of the crisis in Kosovo...the aim of Russia and the NATO countries... has been the same. I do hope that that will not prevent us from continuing what we have invested already together in the NATO-Russia relationship. This project is intended to help to understand the nature of NATO-Russia cooperation and the reasons for the current crisis in their relationship.