Russia can't accept mere promises that Ukraine won't be NATO member - Putin

MOSCOW. Feb 15 (Interfax) - Russia wishes to resolve the problem of Ukraine's possible accession to NATO now, via a negotiating process, and it cannot be satisfied with the mere promise not to admit it to the alliance, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"You've just said a wonderful phrase: 'It's been said that Ukraine won't be in NATO within the next few years'. What does it mean 'it's been said'? You and we should understand what 'it's been said' means in relations between countries. We've been told for 30 years that NATO would not expand toward Russia's borders even for a day, but now we see NATO infrastructure right near our doorstep," Putin said in reply to a question from a reporter at a press conference following negotiations with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday.

Moreover, Ukraine's accession to NATO has been discussed, Putin said. "It's been said, as you put it, that this won't happen tomorrow. But when, then? The day after tomorrow? What does it change for us from the historical perspective? Absolutely nothing," he said.

"Russia hears that Ukraine is not prepared to join NATO today, and we know this premise. And they say right away that it won't be admitted tomorrow, but will be admitted when they prepare it for this. But this might be too late for us. Therefore, we want this issue to be settled now, right now, in the near future, through a negotiating process, by peaceful means," Putin said.

Russia assumes this position and really hopes that its partners will listen to its concerns and take them seriously, Putin said.