Putin: Russia insists that NATO fulfill its promises not to expand eastward
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated, in a television interview, that Moscow stresses the importance of fulfilling the commitments made publicly in the 1990s not to expand the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) eastward.
Putin said: “We are not asking for anything unusual or surprising, we are simply demanding the fulfillment of the promises that were given to Russia in the 1990s: no NATO expansion.” “East”.
He added that NATO’s expansion, especially attempts to include Ukraine in the alliance, constitutes a serious threat to Russia, noting that Article Five of the Washington Treaty makes any dispute with a NATO member a dispute with all members.
With regard to Ukraine, Putin indicated that the declaration of sovereignty and independence of the state confirms the neutrality of the country. Ukraine, stressing that Russia did not "annex" Crimea even provided support to its people who did not want to remain under the threat of coups and their uncertain consequences. He said: “We came to help people who did not want to leave their future at the mercy of those who orchestrated the coup in Ukraine.”
He stressed that the residents of Crimea acknowledged their belonging to Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but they refused to live in an unstable situation, which prompted Russia to intervene to protect them, adding: “We will always defend our interests.” And our people.
Regarding Russian interest in the Crimean port, Putin explained that control of the strategic site was already Russian under an agreement with Ukraine, and there was no need to seize it.
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