Former NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg called for dialogue with Russia

On January 16, former Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg called on Western countries to engage in dialogue with Russia.

"First, we need to talk to Russia about ending the conflict in Ukraine, as we are doing, the United States and other countries. Secondly, at some point we need to discuss a new arms control architecture," he said in an interview with the German newspaper Der Spiegel.

Stoltenberg noted that even during the Cold War, countries managed to limit the use of nuclear weapons. According to him, the third reason for supporting the conversation is the proximity of Russia and other countries.

Trusting relations: Russia is ready for dialogue with the EU and creation of a new security system

At a meeting with the ambassadors, Putin assessed the situation on the world stage that had developed by the beginning of the year.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on January 14 that Germany wants to achieve a balance with Russia as its largest European neighbor. As the Chancellor noted, he has always maintained that "Russia is a European country."

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, responding to a question from Izvestia, said on January 15 that Russia's position on the Ukrainian conflict was known and did not need additional signals. Moscow is open to an equal dialogue. She stressed that Russia does not see the slightest willingness for dialogue from the European side.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.