Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The next day NATO and the Ukraine signed an agreement on a special relationship. NATO and Russia Recognizing that Russia plays an important role in the security of Europe, Allied nations have worked to develop sound bilateral relations with her. Collectively, NATO has also worked hard to involve Russia in, rather than exclude her from, key European security issues. During the early to mid-1990s, both NATO and Russia were feeling their way as a new relationship developed.
Old suspicions die hard.
However, both sides recognized the importance of achieving an understanding that would allow useful work to be done together. The Act represents a commitment between NATO and Russia to build together a lasting and inclusive peace in the Euro-Atlantic area based on principles of democracy and cooperative security. The Act defines the goals and mechanisms of consultation, cooperation, joint decision-making and joint action that will constitute the core of the mutual relations between NATO and Russia. A new NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council was established. The Act also spells out certain key Principles that will guide work jointly undertaken by NATO and Russia.