The Kremlin accused NATO on Tuesday of treating Russia like an “enemy” and said it would closely follow any decisions taken at a two-day summit of the Western military alliance and respond with unspecified measures to protect its own security. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said earlier he expected its leaders gathering in Vilnius to send a “positive message” to Ukraine about its path to eventual NATO membership. Moscow has cited NATO’s eastern expansion as a key factor in its decision to invade Ukraine nearly 17 months ago. “Russia is perceived by them (NATO leaders) as an enemy, as an adversary. It is in this vein that the discussions (in Vilnius) will be conducted,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a regular news briefing. “We are monitoring this very carefully because much of what has been said will be subject to in-depth analysis in order to take measures to ensure our own security,” he added. The Associated Press has the story:
Kremlin is keeping watch on NATO Summit
Newslooks- (AP)
The Kremlin’s spokesman says Moscow is keeping close watch on decisions made at the NATO summit, and will analyze them to “take measures aimed at ensuring our security.”
In a call with reporters on Tuesday, Dmitry Peskov acknowledged Turkey’s decision to move ahead with ratifying Sweden’s membership in the Western military alliance would have implications for Russia. He said the Russian government would implement countermeasures but did not say what they were.
But Peskov said Moscow would continue to cooperate when it sees fit with Turkey, which has cast itself as an intermediary between Russia and Ukraine. He says that while Russia and Turkey have disagreements, they also share common interests.
The Kremlin spokesman also repeated Moscow’s claim that NATO’s relentless eastward expansion after the end of the Cold War was “one of the reasons that led to the current situation” — a reference to Russia’s military action in Ukraine.
Many alliance members have countered that they were forced to bulk up their defenses in the wake of Russian incursions in places like Georgia and Ukraine.
Peskov reiterated a warning against NATO putting Ukraine on a fast-track to membership. The Kremlin has argued that Ukraine joining NATO would lead to a direct confrontation between the alliance and Russia.
“Potentially, it’s very dangerous for European security. It carries very big risks,” Peskov said.
