NATO says Crimea still a concern, day after Trump-Putin call
BRUSSELS - NATO's chief said on Tuesday that Russia's seizure of Crimea remained a major sticking point, sounding a note of caution a day after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump agreed to boost cooperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The U.S.-led military alliance wanted to keep talking to Moscow, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said before talks with EU defence ministers in Brussels.
But Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea was an unacceptable breach of Ukraine's sovereignty, he added.
His message was echoed by German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen who said she was also concerned about Russia's military activities in eastern Ukraine and Syria. "It is ... important not to forget our principles," she added.
