Russia to take steps if Ukraine joins NATO - Kremlin spokesperson
20 April 2014, 15:51 -- NATO's further expansion towards Russia's borders would entail a redrawing of the entire European security architecture, posing a serious threat to Russia and prompting a response by Moscow, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
Speaking on the prospects of NATO's enlargement to Ukraine, Peskov told Russia's TVC television channel on Saturday that 'If this organization (NATO) comes closer to our border, naturally, Russia will be forced to take measures to ensure its security.'
'Therefore, let's hope that the people's voice in the country's east is heard,' Peskov said at the Right to Know show, also expressing hope that the West understands that this is an independent voice, not an opinion 'dictated by Moscow'.
Peskov also said he hopes the military-political future of Ukraine does not envision NATO membership for the time being. Ukraine adopted a policy of refraining from military alliances in 2010, RIA reports.
In July 2012, Russia and Ukraine signed a declaration on strategic partnership, in which Kiev reaffirmed that position. Russia has vociferously opposed any further eastward expansion by NATO, particularly by former Soviet republics on its borders.
President Vladimir Putin said last month Moscow was open to further cooperation with NATO, but remained opposed to the organization's presence in historic Russian territories.
Ukraine and Georgia have been lobbying to become NATO members for years, enjoying full support for their bids from the US, but alliance members rejected a proposal to offer them membership at a NATO summit in Bucharest in 2008.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier this month Ukraine's NATO bid had led to a freezing of Russian-Ukrainian political contacts, a headache in relations between NATO and Russia and a deepening split in Ukraine, where many citizens do not support the plans.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
