Putin says Russia may consider joining NATO in future

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia may considering the question of joining NATO, but it has always been able to ensure its security and defence capability on its own.

Responding to a question from Dutch journalists if Russia may become a NATO or EU member some time in the future and what is needed for that, Putin said, "We are actively developing relations with both organisations, NATO and especially the European Union."

In his words, NATO is undergoing through "certain internal changes" and "we need to understand what we are going to join if this becomes relevant, and what objectives we will pursue in this organisation".

"We do not perceive NATO as a hostile organisation. We develop cooperation with it," the president said. "As for ensuring our own security and defence capability, Russia historically has always been an independent state and has always been able to ensure its defence capability on its own," he said.

"But of course we want to build and will build partnership with all countries and all associations, including NATO. In my view, our dialogue with the North Atlantic Alliance has been developing quite well in recent years," Putin said.

Source: Agencies