Russia suspends cooperation with NATO

Press TV reports: Russia has halted cooperation with NATO as tension is running high between Moscow and the West after the Georgia conflict.

NATO announced on Thursday that it had received notification from Russia that the country was halting military cooperation with the alliance.

"We have received the notification from the Russians through military channels and they say that they have decided to halt international military cooperation events between Russia and NATO countries until further instruction," the alliance's Spokeswoman Carmen Romero said in Brussels.

"We take note of the Russian decision," she added.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that Moscow does not intend to "slam the door" on NATO, but the alliance must opt between partnership with Moscow or support for Georgia.

Russia delivered a harsh response to Georgia which is willing to join NATO after Georgian forces attacked the breakaway region of South Ossetia earlier this month to retake it control.