Putin: We do not fear NATO enlargement
MOSCOW. April 17 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin says he does not fear the enlargement of NATO.
"We have no fear - I do not have and no one else should have this either. Yet we have to bear the realities in mind," Putin said in a Q&A session on Thursday.
He called for taking a sober view of the situation concerning the further enlargement of the alliance.
Putin recalled earlier assurances of the NATO administration about the absence of eastward enlargement plans. Yet the alliance grew with former members of the Warsaw Treaty Organization, the Baltic and former Soviet republics.
"Back then I asked "Why are you doing this? What is the point? Do you want to keep these countries safe? Do you think anyone is going to attack them?" All right but it will suffice to sign a bilateral treaty of friendship and mutual assistance, including that military, and the security of these countries will be guaranteed," the Russian president said.
He said he was told, "That is none of your business. The people and the countries have the right to choose a method in the provision of their security."
"This is true. But this is also true that whenever the infrastructure of a military bloc is moving towards our borders we have certain fears and questions. We have to take some steps in return. This is also true and no one can deny this to us," Putin said.
Responding to a remark that the NATO actions created "a suffocating feeling," the Russian president joked, "We can suffocate them ourselves, don't be so afraid."
