Putin says NATO is trying to expand its geographic boundaries to Asia

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said that NATO is attempting to expand its geographical boundaries, most notably in the direction of Asia.

“We see attempts by some countries to expand their zone of influence, and the North Atlantic Alliance, oddly enough, in violation of its own doctrinal documents, is making attempts to go beyond the geographical boundaries of its activities,” Putin said ahead of a meeting with Zhang Youxia, the vice chair of China’s Central Military Commission, in the Moscow region.

Putin further said that the US is drawing NATO countries more and more into creating a “tense situation” in the Asia-Pacific region, while also trying to create new military-political alliances with countries in the region.

The US is “guided by its own selfish interests,” Putin also said, adding that his country and China have reacted towards Washington’s intent to create new alliances in the region in a “calm and balanced” manner by strengthening their defense capabilities, including through joint naval and air exercises.

Russia’s president also denied that Moscow and Beijing are forming any military alliances “along the lines of the Cold War,” saying that bilateral contacts between both countries are “constructive” and are “a serious factor in stabilizing the international situation.”

For his part, Zhang said that China expressed its respect for Russia in its ability to stand against Western sanctions, which he said “shows that no difficulty bends Russia.”​​​​​​​

Russia notably launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022 over concerns Ukraine might join the NATO alliance. Since the war began, Finland – bordering Russia – has joined NATO, Sweden’s membership application is pending, and Ukraine has pushed harder to join NATO’s ranks.

The US has argued that Chinese forces are acting “aggressively” in the Asia-Pacific, in such areas as the South China Sea and undermining international law, and that US forces are working to ensure free navigation in international waters.