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Russian, NATO military chiefs hold first talk since 2014

Xinhua, March 3, 2017 Adjust font size:

Top military officials of Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) discussed security issues via phone on Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

This has been the first high-level military contact since NATO decided to freeze relations with Russia in April 2014 over the latter's incorporation of Crimea and its alleged role in the Ukrainian crisis.

Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Peter Pavel exchanged views on current security issues and prospects for the restoration of military interaction, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

They also discussed prevention of incidents and participation of NATO representatives in international events organized by the Russian Defense Ministry, it said.

Gerasimov voiced concerns over NATO's "significant increase in its military activities" near the Russian borders.

The two parties confirmed the need for reciprocal steps to ease tensions and stabilize the situation in Europe, and agreed to continue contacts, the ministry said. Endi