US United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks at the Security Council meeting at UN Headquarters in New York, yesterday.
United Nations: US Ambassador Nikki Haley yesterday said the United States is ready to improve ties with Russia but will not compromise on its support for Nato and the European Union.
Haley told a Security Council debate on conflicts in Europe that "Russia's attempts to destabilise Ukraine" were among the most serious challenges facing the continent.
"The United States thinks it's possible to have a better relationship with Russia — after all, we confront many of the same threats," Haley said.
"But greater cooperation with Russia cannot come at the expense of the security of our European friends and allies."
The remarks came as European governments are seeking reassurance after US President Donald Trump applauded Britain's decision to leave the European Union, criticised Nato members over burden-sharing and praised Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Haley said the United States was committed to "the institutions that keep Europe safe" and that it "will not waver" in its support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The United States wants to deepen cooperation within Nato while "keeping the door open to new allies," she said.
Enlarging Nato has been a major bone of contention with Russia, which sees any expansion of the military alliance in eastern Europe as a policy of containment directed against Moscow.
Haley described US ties with the European Union as "deep and enduring" and said differences with European governments should not be seen as a shift in US support.
