Tri-Service
Putin Pins Blame For Rising Tensions In Europe On NATO Expansion
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rounded on Western governments for the current turmoil in Europe.
Putin placed the blame on NATO's post-Cold War expansion for the strain in relations between Russia, the U.S and Europe.
The Russian premier claims confrontations occured between the old Cold War world order redbecause western leaders ignored advice against expanding NATO.
More From Forces TV: Poland Wants NATO-Russia Deal Scrapped
"We have done everything wrong," Putin said.
"From the beginning, we failed to overcome Europe's division."
Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Putin criticised regional policy since the fall of the Berlin Wall: “We did everything wrong from the outset, we did not overcome Europe's division: 25 years ago the Berlin Wall fell, but Europe’s division was not overcome, invisible walls simply moved to the East,”
He insisted however that Russia was willing to work with the west on fighting terrorism, international crime, and environmental issues as long as the West “listens to us, critically reflect on what we say.”
He concluded,
“This created the foundation for mutual reproaches, misunderstanding, and crises in the future.”
Mr Putin has often criticised the United States and other western governments for ignoring Russian security concerns by expanding NATO and attempting to build a missile defence system in Europe.
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
