NATO pans Russian complaints after Lavrov shutters diplomatic offices

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has suspended his team’s diplomatic mission to NATO and closed the trans-Atlantic alliance’s two offices in Moscow in the latest dispute about diplomatic behavior and intelligence operations.

“We regret these steps,” NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said, referring to the suspension of the Russian mission and the closure of NATO’s military liaison and information offices in Moscow. “NATO’s policy towards Russia remains consistent. We have strengthened our deterrence and defense in response to Russia’s aggressive actions, while at the same time, we remain open to dialogue, including through the NATO-Russia Council.”