NATO to overhaul relations with Russia, says to ignore nuclear threats

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) plans to reassess its relations with Russia as the Alliance’s defense ministers are set to meet on Oct. 17-18 to discuss a new strategy, according to an anonymous U.S. official cited by Politico.

Relations between NATO and Russia have reached a critical point following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 

“In response, NATO labeled Russia as the “most significant and direct threat to Allies’ security,” while the Kremlin claims what it calls NATO’s eastward expansion is an existential danger,” the article said.

Relations between NATO and Russia have changed significantly over the years and the Alliance still refers to the Founding Act signed in 1997 that established a permanent joint council between the two. Over time, this document has practically lost its relevance since the all-out invasion.

“Right now we have to have an understanding across the alliance … that the [Founding Act] and the NATO-Russia Council were built for a different era, and I think the allies are prepared to say that was a different era in our relationship with Russia, and therefore something new is merited,” said the source.

Private discussions to redefine official relations with Moscow have been ongoing for several months. The NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels will be the first official opportunity to continue the discussions.

The official stated that a draft of a new strategy has not yet been developed, as the primary emphasis is on collecting feedback from all 32 NATO member countries. 

“They also said the military implication of this political exercise is expected to be limited.” the Politico report said.

Approval among NATO leaders to reexamine relations with Moscow NATO took place in July at a summit in Washington. 

“A new strategy regarding Russia is expected to be approved at the summit in The Hague in June 2025,” European Pravda reports.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Alliance member countries should not fear Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s nuclear threats, as the Kremlin leader is trying to weaken Western military support for Ukraine, according to Sky News.

“NATO is strong. We can face any adversary. We have everything in place to make sure that NATO is safe and secure, and that we can fight off any threat,” Rutte said. “And we will never be intimidated by anyone outside NATO trying to threaten us. So that is of no use, he [Putin] should stop that.” 

Most important for Alliance member countries at the moment is to check and strengthen their defense capabilities, he added.

“We also clearly sent a message to our adversaries that we stand ready to… respond to any threat,” Rutte said.