Russian president says NATO instrument of US foreign policy
Russian President Vladimir Putin has again criticized the expansion of NATO, saying the Western military alliance has become a tool in the hand of the United States to advance its foreign policy.
“Once a country becomes a NATO member, it is hard to resist the pressures of the US. And all of a sudden any weapons system can be placed in this country,” Putin said in an interview aired late on Tuesday, while calling NATO “an instrument of America’s foreign policy.”
The Russian president said Moscow would not remain idle and watch NATO’s increased military activity at its western borders, adding that the alliance was committing a “big, glaring mistake” by engaging in more build-up at Russia’s doorsteps as it would drag both the United States and Russia into a new arms race.
He said Russia would show a “suitable” response to NATO’s eastward expansion, adding that Moscow’s countermeasures would be “much cheaper,” if not quite as technologically advanced.
“It may be [rough]… but it will be effective. We shall preserve this so-called strategic balance,” Putin said.
The president also argued against claims by the United States that NATO’s deployment of missile systems in eastern European countries was to deter potential threats from countries such as Iran, saying he did not see any point in NATO's expansion after the demise of the Soviet Union and now that Iran and world powers had agreed on a deal on Tehran’s nuclear program.
“Iran has abandoned all nuclear military weapons programs. The United States agreed with it and signed the corresponding document. However, the missile defense program with its elements in Europe continues further. Against whom is it aimed?" Putin said.
Ukraine to cede territory despite US support: Report
Russia arrests suspect 'recruited by Ukraine' over killing of top general
Ukraine claims killing of top Russian general as Moscow vows 'imminent revenge'
D-8’s role in Iran’s economy after Cairo summit
China slams US as ‘war-addicted’ threat to global security
China ‘firmly opposes’ US military aid to Taiwan
VIDEO | Press TV's News Headlines
President Yoon Suk Yeol to be removed from office
At least 19 Gazans killed by Israeli airstrikes since dawn: Medics
Leader: Iran neither has nor needs proxy forces
US fighter aircraft shot down ‘in friendly fire’ amid aggression on Yemen
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
