On Monday, 11 February, the European Leadership Network (ELN) invited UK officials, foreign diplomats and British and international experts on NATO-Russia relations to the launch of its latest report, “Towards a more stable NATO-Russia relationship” at the Institute of Directors, London
The event started with a panel discussion with ELN Director and former UK NATO Ambassador, Sir Adam Thomson, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), Andrey Kortunov, and former Director-General of the NATO International Military Staff Air Marshal, Sir Christopher Harper. Following introductory remarks, panellists engaged participants in an hour-long discussion on the report’s recommendations as well as current and future obstacles and opportunities for NATO-Russia Relations.
The report, developed jointly with the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), makes specific and politically feasible steps on how the NATO-Russia confrontation can be stabilised, lowering the risk of military escalation. The recommendations were developed after months of consultation with prominent military, political, and diplomatic figures from Western and Russian strategic communities.
The report provides two sets of recommendations, one for immediate implementation and the other for future stabilised relations. There are no shortcuts to restoring trust and ending the current confrontation, however it is in the interests of all that the relationship be built and managed in a way that reduces risk and costs. This report is grounded in reality and offers steps to deescalate tensions and prevent crises.