NATO needs to rethink its relationship with Russia: Cameron

PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO needs to rethink its long-term relationship with Russia, which views the alliance as "an adversary", British Prime Minister David Cameron has warned, according to BBC News.

He said there has to be a "robust presence" in eastern Europe because of Russia's "illegal" actions in Ukraine.

In a letter to other NATO leaders ahead of a UK summit, he said Russia had to be sent a message that "neither NATO nor its members will be intimidated".

Plans suggested by Cameron include a new schedule of military exercises. Cameron also said equipment and supplies should be pre-positioned in key locations and called for an enhanced NATOResponse Force.

He has written to his counterparts, and alliance secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen, six weeks before they are due to meet near Newport, south Wales.

The letter comes days after the Commons Defense Committee warned that NATOis currently poorly prepared for a Russian attack on a member state.

The NATOsummit is the first to be held in the UK since 1990, when Margaret Thatcher hosted the alliance in London as the Cold War was ending.

The Prime Minister noted that: "In 2014, the world is more unpredictable than ever and we meet at another pivotal moment in the history of the alliance."

He called for an action plan to allow NATO to respond to threats to any member of the alliance "including when we have little warning".

He added: "All NATO allies have already contributed to the alliance's response to this crisis and we should agree how we can sustain a robust presence in eastern Europe, consistent with the NATORussia Founding Act, to make clear to Russia that neither NATO nor its members will be intimidated."