Russia says cooperation with NATO has completely ended.

Sputnik - On Monday (15), the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Aleksandr Grushko, told Sputnik that, for now, Moscow sees no signs that NATO knows how to get out of the impasse in relations with Russia.

According to the deputy minister, cooperation between Russia and NATO in both civilian and military areas has completely ended.

"Cooperation along both civilian and military lines has completely ended. NATO itself has abandoned the positive agenda in relations with Russia. This agenda no longer exists and, for now, there are no signs that NATO knows how to get out of this impasse," he pointed out.

However, the deputy minister explained that Russia continues to maintain military contacts with certain countries in the alliance.

"Today there is an objective need for political dialogue and maintaining contacts between military analysts. NATO has refused practical collaboration with us to strengthen its own security. However, there is an objective need for joint work to reduce the risks of accidental escalation, to prevent incidents. With certain NATO countries such contacts exist. With the alliance in general – not so much," he said.

Furthermore, Grushko pointed out that the divisions within the alliance are now greater than before and that NATO is trying to consolidate itself at the expense of the so-called "Russian threat".

"Today, these differences are even deeper than before. However, unfortunately, no better way to consolidate the bloc has been found than to shake off the dust of the 'Russian threat'," he said.

As a result, Russia has been dealing, on NATO's part, not only with the resurgence of "Cold War" rhetoric, but also with a military development within the alliance that follows "the same footsteps," the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister pointed out.

"This, coupled with the implementation of plans to create a global missile defense system, and the US intention to eliminate limitations in the area of ​​arms control, such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, paints an alarming picture. The risks of an uncontrollable escalation of military tension and the arms race have increased significantly," he added.

Aleksandr Grushko indicated that the current crisis in relations between Russia and NATO is not the first, but it is the longest-lasting.

"There have been situations where our relations were interrupted: in 1999, due to the bombing of Yugoslavia by NATO forces, and in 2008, after the conflict in South Ossetia. Today's crisis is not the first, but it is the most prolonged," Grushko concluded.