Putin warns NATO against closer ties with Ukraine and Georgia

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

WORLD NEWS JULY 19, 2018 / 1:13 PM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

Putin warns NATO against closer ties with Ukraine and Georgia

Andrew Osborn
3 MIN READ

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned NATO against cultivating closer ties with Ukraine and Georgia, saying such a policy was irresponsible and would have unspecified consequences for the alliance.

The issue has been a source of anger for Russia — which shares a border with both countries and does not want to see them join what it regards as a hostile military bloc — since 2008 when NATO leaders promised Ukraine and Georgia they would one day join the alliance.

Putin, speaking to Russian diplomats from around the world assembled in Moscow, said on Thursday there was a need to restore trust in Europe and spoke out against what he said was NATO’s attempts to deploy new bases and military infrastructure near Russia’s borders.

“We will respond appropriately to such aggressive steps, which pose a direct threat to Russia,” said Putin.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-nato-putin/putin-warns-nato-against-closer-ties-with-ukraine-and-georgia-idUSKBN1K92KA

[BigmanPigman]

1. He feels empowered after meeting with the fucking moron.

Too bad Putin, Europe hates you more than ever since you corrupted a long standing ally.

[thucythucy]

2. Ukraine and Georgia might not be asking for closer ties

with NATO if Putin/Russia hadn't been so aggressive toward both nations to begin with.

Ukraine in particular has suffered enormously under the rule of Russia.