NATO reviews relationship with Russia over Ukraine crisis

Western diplomats met Wednesday on the crisis in Ukraine as NATO warned it was reviewing its relationship with Russia and threats of sanctions -- and retaliations -- flew between Europe and Russia. At NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters that the international body had decided to "put the entire range of NATO-Russia cooperation under review" to send "a clear message Russia's actions have consequences."Planning for the first NATO-Russia joint mission -- the maritime escort of a U.S. ship involved in neutralizing chemical weapons -- has been suspended, though the decision will not affect the destruction of chemical weapons, he said. And no staff-level civilian or military meetings with Russia will take place "for now," Rasmussen said. But, he added, the organization was keeping the door open for political dialogue. In addition, he said, the organization will "intensify" its partnership with Ukraine, stepping up engagement with its civilian and military leadership through increased joint training and exercises and doing more to include Ukraine in multinational projects. Rasmussen's comments came after meetings in Paris between foreign ministers from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Russia.U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, met three times Wednesday in Paris. They greeted each other cordially during one session at the Russian Embassy, according to the pool reporter traveling with Kerry. Kerry urged direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to resolve the crisis, the official said. One of those meetings included a "brief and informal discussion" among Kerry, Lavrov, Britain's William Hague, France's Laurent Fabius and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the official said.

Tweet Follow @punshcomempower
50% off Hosting for your Website at GoDaddy.com!
It's a BIG Deal! $5.99* .COM from GoDaddy.com!
It's a BIG Deal! $5.99* .COM from GoDaddy.com!
Host a site without stress on namecheap eApps|YOUR APP HOSTING PROVIDER
Submit your Website
Free webmaster resources including SEO Tools, Computer Glossary, Templates Sign up to BIGTIMEBUX today!