The Kremlin has rejected the possibility of renewing formal ties with NATO while the alliance continues its support for Ukraine, casting doubt on recent reports of a potential revival of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC).
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov firmly dismissed the idea that Moscow would reengage with NATO under current conditions.
“It is difficult to talk about resuming any kind of dialogue when NATO is effectively at war with the Russian Federation,” Peskov said.
His comments follow a Bloomberg report suggesting the United States had floated a proposal to reinstate security talks through the NRC as part of a broader effort to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, Peskov clarified that Russia had received “no substantial offers” and reiterated that the geopolitical climate makes a formal partnership with the bloc “unrealistic.”
Despite the harsh tone, the Kremlin left the door open to future discussions on European security.
“Issues related to security and stability on the European continent must, of course, be discussed – and the sooner that begins, the better,” Peskov added.
Established in 2002, the NATO-Russia Council aimed to foster cooperation on arms control, counterterrorism, and military transparency. Its relevance, however, declined as relations deteriorated—particularly after Crimea joined Russia in 2014 and NATO suspended practical cooperation.
Though limited communication continued through the early stages of the Ukraine conflict, all cooperation was officially terminated in 2022.
Moscow has consistently warned against NATO’s eastward expansion and Ukraine’s aspirations to join the alliance, framing both as key contributors to the ongoing hostilities. Russian officials maintain that any meaningful peace process must address what they see as fundamental flaws in the current European security architecture.
