NATO not to comply with act signed with Russia in 1997

US Permanent Representative to NATO Julianne Smith said that Russia, through its actions in Ukraine, violates the fundamental act between the alliance and the Russian Federation of 1997.

According to Smith, since Russia has violated the terms of this agreement, NATO may also not comply with its terms, Kommersant reports.

“Within the alliance, the future of the Russia-NATO Founding Act was discussed. All Allies fully agree that Russia is violating the NATO-Russia Founding Act. And all allies also agree that we are all now in fact in a position where none of us is obliged to take into account what is written in the Russia-NATO Founding Act when we make decisions about the future alignment of forces.” Smith said at a conference at the Washington Center for a New American Security.

The Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security between Russia and NATO was signed on May 27, 1997, in Paris. According to the document, Russia and NATO must respect the territorial integrity of other states, prevent conflicts and seek to resolve disputes by peaceful means, and not consider each other as adversaries.