Moscow, Sep 5
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday reiterated Moscow's rejection of Ukrainian membership in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), warning that any foreign deployment on Ukrainian soil will be "legitimate targets for destruction."
He said, "If any troops appear there, especially now, during the fighting, we assume that they will be legitimate targets for destruction." He said, "And if decisions are reached that will lead to peace, to long-term peace, then I simply see no point in their presence on Ukrainian territory."
Russian President reiterated Moscow's rejection of Ukraine's membership in the NATO and mentioned that the Kremlin is not against Ukraine's desire to become part of the European Union, He said, "Ukraine’s decision on NATO cannot be considered without looking at Russia’s (security) interests", but Kyiv’s EU aspirations are a "legitimate choice." He stated, "I repeat, (Ukraine’s EU bid) is Ukraine's legitimate choice, how to build its international relations, how to ensure its interests in the economic sphere, with whom to enter into alliances."