Despite efforts to structure forums that promote cooperation between Russia and NATO, relations as of have become severely strained over time due to post-Soviet conflicts and territory disputes involving Russia having broken out, many of which are still ongoing, including:. They deteriorated even further in , when on 1 April , NATO unanimously decided to suspend all practical co-operation as a response to the Russian annexation of Crimea.
President George H. Bush , U. The West German foreign minister, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, in a meeting on February 6, , suggested the alliance should issue a public statement saying that, "NATO does not intend to expand its territory to the East.
He also said, "The decision for the U. I called this a big mistake from the very beginning. It was definitely a violation of the spirit of the statements and assurances made to us in Bush and specifically read him Article 6 of the Agreement.
I want to read the 6th Article of the Agreement. As a matter of fact Shaposhnikov fully agreed and supported our position. I am now reading Article 6.
President and I urge the interpreter to translate this precisely. This is extremely, extremely important. Because of the tradition between us, I couldn't even wait ten minutes to call you.
