No need for NATO to create specific picture of Russia to reinvigorate alliance — Rasmussen

NATO doesn’t need to create a "specific" picture of Russia to "reinvigorate the alliance," Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said at the Atlantic Council in Washington.
"There is no need to create a specific picture of Russia to reinvigorate our alliance. It is quite obvious for everybody why NATO need it. We need a strong collective defense to protect our population against any kind of threat," he said.
Secretary General, on the contrary, stated that Russia "itself creates particular picture right now". He recalled that at the Russia-NATO summit in November 2010 in, it was decided to launch a "truly strategic partnership between NATO and Russia."
“We have done a lot during last 20 years to develop a constructive co-operation with Russia, because we do believe that positive engagement is a right way forward,” he added.
However, the Secretary General said that Russia sees it different and "in its military doctrine considers NATO not as a partner but as an enemy."

Rasmussen stressed that the co-operation with Ukraine be increased. "It's clear to everybody, the Ukrainian armed forces need modernization and further capability development," he noted.
According to him, it will be discussed at the upcoming NATO summit in Wales.
Rasmussen will meet with US President Barack Obama to discuss the situation in Ukraine on Tuesday.