ATO will not change stance on Ukraine for cooperation with Russia

NATO will not eschew additional security measures in the eastern Europe in exchange for the possible assistance of Russia in combating terrorism, NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow said.

At a joint press conference with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, Vershbow said he hopes that West's and Russia's stances on fighting terrorism will draw them together. It won't change NATO's response on Moscow's policy over Ukraine, he said.

He said that even if the West cooperates with Russia in fighting terrorism, it will not alter the military bloc's firm stance on Russian aggression against Ukraine and Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea.