NATO and Russia should conduct a dialogue and the Cold War should remain in the past, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated, El País reported.

Secretary General noted that terrorism and instability are threats, and all NATO allies are working to keep safety in their countries. Real dialogue with their biggest and strongest neighbor Russia is the fundamental method to strengthen Europe's security in the long term.

Stoltenberg emphasized that collective defense is the obligation of NATO. Nearly a billion people believe that NATO will ensure their safety. He reminded that in Warsaw, the leaders agreed to increase the military presence in the eastern member states of the Alliance and some are afraid that these measures would lead to escalation and punishment from Russia, but he does not share this fear.

NATO does not want to provoke war, it wants to prevent it. Stoltenberg noted that all their actions are defensive, proportional, and transparent, complying with their international obligations.

According to him, the purpose of NATO is to confront the external danger.  NATO is not a threat to Russia or any other country, Secretary General assured.