BRUSSELS — NATO will pursue its drive for a strategic partnership with Russia, but Moscow must respect the sovereignty and integrity of its neighbors, the alliance’s new head, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said Monday.

Rasmussen, 56, who took over on Saturday as secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, faces many challenges but none more daunting than finding a winning strategy for the war in Afghanistan and improving relations with Russia.

The former Danish prime minister also has the delicate task of managing expectations in Ukraine and Georgia, which have been promised eventual NATO membership despite Moscow’s resistance.

“I think we should develop practical cooperation [with Moscow] ... while of course insisting on Russian compliance with her international obligations including respect of the sovereignty and integrity of her neighbors,” Rasmussen said.