NATO, the alliance set up more than a half century ago for the Cold War containment of Moscow, formally accepted its old enemy as a junior partner yesterday.
"We have come a long way from confrontation to dialogue and from confrontation to cooperation," Russian President Vladimir Putin said before he and 19 NATO leaders signed an agreement creating the NATO-Russia Council.
PHOTO: REUTERS
"Two former foes are now joined as partners," US President George W. Bush said.
Under the new arrangement, Russia will have more authority than in an earlier, less formal arrangement set up years ago to try to nudge Moscow closer to the West.
Even so, its involvement will be limited to certain areas. They include crisis management, peacekeeping and such military areas as air defense, search-and-rescue operations and joint exercises.
The 20 leaders sat at a circular table and remained seated as the documents were passed around for them to sign.
"The significance of this meeting is difficult to overestimate," Putin said earlier, noting that a few years ago, the move "would have been, simply, unthinkable, whereas today it has become a reality."
"Being realists, we must remember that relations between Russia and the North Atlantic alliance have been historically far from straightforward," Putin said. Even though Russia was not admitted as a full partner and has a limited role, "we must understand this Rome Declaration ... is only a beginning," he said.
Afterward, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said he recognizes that Russia opposes a further enlargement of NATO. The alliance is expected to bring in up to seven new full partners in November, including states bordering on Russia.
Even with the new relationship, "Russia cannot have a veto over who becomes a member or not," Powell told reporters
Leader after leader cited Sept. 11 as a catalyst for new cohesion and determination among NATO members. "The attacks ... made clear that the new dangers of our age threaten all nations, including Russia," Bush said.
Putin agreed, and mentioned a blast during a holiday parade in the Russian region of Dagestan on May 9, killing 41 people. Russia blames Islamic extremists for the attack.
NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson, who will be chairman of the new council, declared "this gathering represents the hope of a better, saner future."
Russia's participation comes as NATO ponders its role in an age when Russia is no longer an adversary.
The new council replaces a consultative body set up in May 1997 to ease Moscow's alarm over NATO's plans to include some of Russia's Soviet-era allies and neighbors.
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