NATO will never 'turn off' dialogue with Russia, says Jim Mattis

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS. NATO will never cut-off communications with Russia despite Moscow’s alleged meddling in American and European elections, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis told reporters en route to Belgium, Sputnik reports.

"NATO will never turn offdialogue withRussia," Mattis said onWednesday. "NATO will never turn its back ontrying tomake better relations withRussia."

The prospect ofimproving relationsbetweenRussia and NATO are hindered bythe Kremlin’s alleged interference inUS and European elections and its "changing borders inEurope throughthe force ofarms," Mattis said, according to Sputnik.

NATO's defense ministers will meet onThursday and Friday toprepare forthe July summit which is focused onapproving a new command structure which may boost personnel by1,200.

ENGLISH: Editor/Translator -Stepan Kocharyan