NATO, Russia at odds over issues: Putin

Putin made the remarks at a meeting with paratroopers in the Russian city of Ulyanovsk on Wednesday, saying that NATO was created during the period of confrontation between the Soviet Union and the West.

“They believed that there was a threat from the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Treaty, but now there is no threat but NATO still exists. That is an atavism,” he said.

Referring to a possible request by the members of NATO over joining Russian forces to the coalition in fighting in Afghanistan, Putin said we should try to prevent such a move to take place.

The Russian president expressed his confidence in the ability of Russia’s Armed Forces to defend the country.

“I realize that, if something breaks out that requires the involvement of our Armed Forces and you paratroopers, you will be ready,” he said, while adding that everything was being done to prevent such a scenario.

“But we politicians have the task of preventing such events,” he said.

Due to the planned pullout, Russia has been assisting NATO “not so much in transporting there [in Afghanistan], but in transporting from there,” Putin said.

Despite of protests by Russian politicians and people against the NATO deal with their country, Russia and NATO reached an agreement to transfer combat equipment through Russia to Afghanistan.

MSH/JR

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