Russia - Nato meetings postponed indefinitely

In the wake of Nato's exercises in Georgia Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has admitted that no new Russia - Nato Council meeting is planned. Whilst it is hardly surprising, this represents a blow to any nascent partnership with Moscow. Although I have acknowledged the Kremlin's excitability as regards the alliance and its activities, I also believe that the choice of Georgia for manoeuvres was an unnecessary provocation.

Inevitably the trickiest aspect of western relations with Russia to 'reset' will revolve around a military organisation which was brought into existence to combat the Soviet Union. A genuine spirit of respect and compromise is a prerequisite, and unfortunate posturing in Georgia has set the process back, almost before it had begun.

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