NATO’s expansion threatening: Russian envoy

Russia's envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, says the possible admission of Georgia and Ukraine into the alliance would put Russia's security under threat.

“Ukraine and Georgia are being invited to join NATO despite Russia's objections. Neither Ukraine nor Georgia have met NATO admission requirements. And, as far as Georgia is concerned, Mr Saakashvili initiated a referendum on NATO membership in Georgia but didn't even ask the people of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. That would start the process of pushing away Abkhazia and South Ossetia. So if Saakashvili wants to join NATO, he would either have to do this without the two republics, or this could mean that he's trying to use NATO as a tool of keeping Georgia's territorial integrity. That would mean that American troops would soon be stationed on Georgia-Abkhazian border while Russia peacekeepers will be situated just 100 metres away from them,” Dmitry Rogozin said.

Rogozin has also condemned U.S. decision to supply arms to Kosovo as a severe violation of the UN Security Council resolution.

He says the decision would essentially amount to compelling the Serbs by force to live in the region.