Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the “Annual Inventory” event held in Moscow on the 19th that Russia had been “deceived many times” on the issue of NATO's eastward expansion. Putin said that the NATO military infrastructure is moving towards the Russian border, which has raised legitimate concerns on the Russian side. Putin said that there have been discussions about Russia joining NATO, but Russia realizes that Russia's entry into NATO is “not expected.” He also said that it is necessary for Europe to establish a new security system, and that the method of self-defense chosen by any country should not pose a threat to other countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the “Annual Inventory” event held in Moscow on the 19th that Russia had been “deceived many times” on the issue of NATO's eastward expansion. Putin said that the NATO military infrastructure is moving towards the Russian border, which has raised legitimate concerns on the Russian side. Putin said that there have been discussions about Russia joining NATO, but Russia realizes that Russia's entry into NATO is “not expected.” He also said that it is necessary for Europe to establish a new security system, and that the method of self-defense chosen by any country should not pose a threat to other countries.