NATO and Russia meet again in Brussels

brussels - For the first time since NATO sent Russian diplomats away because of the attack with nerve gas on the former double spy Sergej Skripal and his daughter Yoelia in Salisbury, both parties have again held political consultations. The so-called NATO-Russia Council met at Ambassador level at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday.

According to the Western Alliance, it was an 'open exchange' about subjects such as Ukraine, military activities, transparency and risk reduction. Both sides have given briefings about upcoming exercises.

The political consultations were postponed after the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, but they have been sitting around the table once again for more than two years. Both parties want to keep the lines open. Last month, military top people from both sides were already in Baku.

Because Moscow did not respond satisfactorily to the attack on Skipal, virtually all NATO countries, including the Netherlands, sent away Russian diplomats in March. NATO decided that the permanent mission of Russia to NATO could consist of a maximum of twenty people, ten less than before. The accreditation of seven Russians was withdrawn and that of three others was refused.

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