There is no way Russia can be isolated, we need to manage our relations with Moscow, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the German Marshall Fund conference.

"Russia is our biggest neighbor, Russia is here to stay, there is no way we can isolate Russia, we have to manage our relationship with Russia, and especially in times when tension runs high it’s especially important to keep channels of dialogue open with Russia," Stoltenberg said.

The official also expressed his belief that Moscow was open for dialogue within the framework of the NATO-Russia Council, Sputnik reports.

"Russia is a challenge, it’s a neighbor and it’s going to be there so we have to talk to them so therefore I welcome that there are direct contacts between president Putin and president Erdogan," he said.