Nato Approves Pact With Russia

The 16 countries of NATO unanimously approved the alliance’s new accord with Russia on Friday, clearing the way for a formal signing at a May 27 summit in Paris.

The agreement, intended to assuage Russian concerns about the alliance’s expansion into Eastern Europe, will give Russia a voice - but not a veto - in NATO affairs. It creates a new NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council and lays the framework for future relations as NATO begins expanding eastward.

The accord aims to draw Moscow into the overall European defense picture and assuage its fears that NATO enlargement represents a threat to Russia’s security.