MOSCOW. Oct 20 (Interfax) - Moscow is baffled by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's statement on the alliance's openness to dialogue within the framework of the NATO-Russia Council, a Russian Foreign Ministry official said.
"You can't measure NATO's openness with your mind," the official said in commenting on Stoltenberg's remarks.
Stoltenberg earlier said NATO remained open to dialogue, including through the NATO-Russia Council, even despite Moscow's decision to close its mission to the alliance.
"We regret this decision, which does not promote dialogue and mutual understanding," Stoltenberg said in his remarks in the run-up to a meeting between the defense policy chiefs of the NATO countries.
"But NATO's policy remains consistent, and we remain open to dialogue, including through the NATO-Russia Council," he said.
The alliance will "continue to assess how we can further strengthen our deterrence and defense," Stoltenberg said.