MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko has stated that current tensions within the North Atlantic Alliance should not be underestimated.
"Indeed, of course, the current tensions within NATO should not be underestimated," Grushko said at a news conference, responding to a question about whether the split within NATO is reversible and what awaits the alliance, in light of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's statements, among other things, that Europe cannot defend itself without the United States. "Because even the very fact that Rutte raised such a question indicates that not all is well in this 'Danish Kingdom,' as I would put it."
On the other hand, Grushko noted, there have been many splits within NATO. "Off the top of my head, if you think back, look at Greek-Turkish relations: for decades, they've been practically bordering on war. I don't know about last year, but in recent years, there have been approximately 1,500 incidents recorded in the airspace over the Aegean Sea. That's the reality. Second, let's say 2003, the US invasion of Iraq. France said 'No', supported by Germany, and it was impossible to reach a consensus within NATO. What did the Americans do? They simply pushed NATO aside, created a coalition of the willing, and did what they did. The Libyan situation, closer to the current period. Germany didn't vote for the relevant resolution in the UN Security Council and was ostracized for it. In short, there were many such tensions," he listed.
