Awwal 14, 1432 H/Feb 17, 2011, SPA -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is not planning to visit NATO's headquarters during his visit to Brussels next week, dpa quoted the military alliance as saying on Thursday. Putin is due to lead a delegation of Russian government ministers when he travels to Brussels on February 24 for talks with the European Union's executive arm, the European Commission. However, "we have not received a Russian request for the prime minister to visit NATO," alliance spokeswoman Oana Lungescu told reporters in Brussels. The spokeswoman was at pains to emphasise that no offence was taken. "There is intensive consultation with Russian leaders ... and we are continuing a very positive cooperation in the NATO-Russia Council," Lungescu said. On the day that Putin is expected in Brussels, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen is due in Kiev for a meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. -- SPA
