Anders Fogh Rasmussen: NATO-Russia conflict can drag on for decades

The former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he felt frustration about the situation around Russia.

He believes that it may take decades to normalize relationships between NATO and the Russian Federation. Anders Fogh Rasmussen also noted that negative Russian's actions affected not only Ukraine but other countries willing to join NATO and the EU, rus.DELFI.lv. reports.

"The model is clear: Russia believes that the EU and NATO will not let new countries join if these conflicts are not resolved", the former head of the alliance noted.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen also reminded that during his work as NATO secretary general he had striven to create neighborly relations with the Russian Federation and therefore he did not conceal his disappointment that Russia considered NATO as its opponent, UNIAN reports.

“In my first speech as NATO secretary general I indicated that NATO and Russia could create a strategic partnership. We agreed on this at the summit of NATO and Russia in 2010. Today Russia considers NATO as its opponent, and I am very disappointed. I think the scenario of conflict between Russia and the West will extend over decades. These estimates can be changed by one factor - the price of oil, which is able to reduce the period of the conflict", Rasmussen declared.

Earlier, NATO stated their concern about Russia's propaganda with respect to Ukraine and the West.