Russia: Domestic Terrorism in US Added to NATO Problems

(FNA)- Moscow announced that domestic terrorism in the United States has been added to the problems that have not been resolved by NATO for decades.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that "this is what the member-states need to urgently tackle rather than fake threats", TASS reported.

Effective Russian-Belarusian cooperation is not part of NATO’s plans, Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel, commenting on a statement of NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who voiced concerns over cooperation between Moscow and Minsk.

"Here is the answer to a question why the West is dealing with Belarus so fiercely. Normal effective cooperation between the two countries is not part of NATO’s plans. It needs to constantly interfere in domestic affairs of one or another country, or to simultaneously meddle in the affairs of both, just to prevent a natural course of mutually beneficial integration," she continued.

In comment on NATO’s readiness to "protect each member of the alliance from a threat posed by Moscow and Minsk", the diplomat wished NATO chief good health, noting that this was "directly linked to overcoming old phobias and getting rid of persecution mania".

She said Russia is ready to discuss issues of de-escalation and preventing incidents with the North Atlantic Alliance, but without engaging military experts this dialogue makes no sense.

"Russia is not avoiding dialogue with NATO and is ready for a real discussion on the issues of de-escalation and preventing incidents. But without engaging military experts the talks on these issues would actually make no sense. Mr. Stoltenberg is well aware of this," Zakharova stated, commenting on Stoltenberg’s statement that Moscow had not responded to a proposal on holding a meeting.

Touching on Stoltenberg’s remark that the ball was in Moscow’s court, the diplomat added, "Speaking about balls. Mr. Stoltenberg, please return your goalposts to the playing field, we will score."

Earlier, the NATO chief suggested resuming meetings of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC), noting that Moscow had been invited to hold dialogue more than a year ago, but it never responded.