CRI听力:NATO Suspends Cooperation with Russia

NATO has ordered an end to civilian and military cooperation with Russia in favor of closer cooperation with Ukraine.

The announcement comes after foreign ministers from the 28-member alliance wrapped up their first day of talks in Belgium over the Crimea situation.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the alliance's chief, says meetings with Russia at the ministerial level will continue.

"So today we have, we are suspending all practical cooperation with Russia, military and civilian, in the NATO-Russia Council, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the Partnership for Peace. At the same time we keep our diplomatic lines of communication open and we are ready for ambassadorial or ministerial meetings in the NATO-Russia Council."

But Rasmussen says the cooperation with Russia on Afghanistan in areas such as training personnel will stay intact.

At a separate meeting, NATO and Ukraine have agreed to step up cooperation and to encourage defense reforms in Ukraine through training.

The Ukrainian parliament has already approved a bill to conduct joint military drills with NATO and EU partners.

Meanwhile, U.S Secretary of State John Kerry says the US will send more support to its NATO partners in central and Eastern Europe to bolster their defenses.

Moscow has said cooperation between Russia and Ukraine will be largely dependent on Kiev's geopolitical choice.