Direct talks between NATO and Russia will not be included at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers due to take place in Tallinn later this month, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said Tuesday, DPA reported.
The Baltic News Service reported that Paet told reporters there would be no meeting of the NATO-Russia Council when the summit takes place on April 22-23 in the Estonian capital as Russia had declared such talks unnecessary.
Paet, who will host the event, said he regretted that Russia was treating NATO as a threat rather than a partner.
The question of NATO's relationship with Russia would likely remain on the agenda of the meeting even in the absence of Russian representatives, Paet said.
Estonia regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and joined NATO in 2004. Relations with its eastern neighbour, Russia, remain a perpetual concern in the Baltic state.
More than 500 delegates from 45 countries are expected to attend the Tallinn meeting which Paet said was the biggest international policy event in the country's history.
No Russia talks planned at Estonian NATO summit
Direct talks between NATO and Russia will not be included at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers due to take place in Tallinn later this month, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said Tuesday.
