In a bid to reduce the chances of escalating military confrontation and miscalculation as conflict surges in eastern Ukraine, the western military alliance has revived cold war-style hotlines to the Kremlin and the Russian general staff in Moscow.
However, Nato has also moved simultaneously to rid its Brussels headquarters of what are believed to be dozens of Russian spies, reported The Guardian.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that due to an increased Russian air activity the alliance was intercepting more Russian planes over the Black, Baltic and Norwegian seas and therefore, it was essential to revive direct contacts to reduce risk and avoid misunderstandings.
However, despite reviving the emergency hotlines, Nato has cut most contacts with the Russians at its Brussels headquarters and is removing dozens of Russian diplomats and officers. Officials said that the move was clearly aimed at reducing Russian intelligence-gathering at Nato headquarters, adding that only four Russian officials: the ambassador to Nato, Alexander Grushko, his deputy, his secretary and his driver, were now allowed to move unescorted at the offices.
The decision reflected the damage done to relations as a result of Russian President Vladimir Putin's military campaigns in Ukraine. It came as Putin sought to mark Russia's Victory Day, which marks the defeat of Nazism, by staging the biggest Red Square military parade since the collapse of communism.
Stoltenberg said that the Minsk ceasefire deal brokered by German chancellor Angela Merkel following intense negotiations with Russia, Ukraine and pro-Russia rebels, was being undermined by Russian violations.
He added that Moscow had an added responsibility as it was continuing to provide support to the separatists in east Ukraine.
