REUTERS

EU Ambassador to Russia Markus Ederer says the relations between the European Union and Russia have hit rock bottom, and the current period may become more dangerous than the Cold War.

He recalled that several important agreements were signed in the field of arms control during the Cold War: the Treaty on Open Skies, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty), the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START III).

Read alsoConflict with Russia could start unpredictably – British army chief"The great powers have been phasing out the Treaty on Open Skies. And the United States and Russia are making serious claims against each other under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Some experts forecast all this may affect the possible prolongation of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between Russia and the United States (START III), which is expiring in 2021. I'm worried about this. If we do not try to minimize the threats stemming from this situation, the current period may become more dangerous than the Cold War," Ederer said in an interview with the Russian newspaper Kommersant.

Видео дня

"The relationship between the European Union and Russia seems to be at the lowest level since the end of the Cold War, but there are some signs of stabilization of the situation. Still, there is a mutual lack of trust along with a wide gap in the understanding of how we have reached that point," he added.

Yet, he said, both sides still want to maintain communication channels.