Ukraine's possible NATO membership creates threat to Russia - Putin

MOSCOW. July 13 (Interfax) - Ukraine's possible NATO membership creates a threat to Russia and will not boost Ukraine's security, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"As to Ukraine's NATO membership, it has been said repeatedly that it creates security threats to Russia," Putin said in an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin on Thursday.

"Essentially, one of the reasons for the special military operation is a threat of Ukraine joining NATO," Putin said.

"I am certain that it will not boost the security of Ukraine and will generally make the world much more vulnerable and will create extra tension on the international scene," Putin said.