Russian NATO envoy Alexander Grushko. Photo by rusofili.bg.
NATO used the crisis in Ukraine to increase its military presence along Russian borders, Russia’s Ambassador to NATO Alexander Grushko said on Friday.
In an interview with the Rossiya 24 TV news channel Grushko said NATO had used the Ukraine crisis not only to strengthen its relations with Ukraine but also to “flex muscles” near Russia’s borders.
“NATO is weakening its own position as a player with global ambitions after it shunned cooperation with Russia on Afghanistan and on struggle with terrorism and piracy,” he said, as quoted by Itar-Tass, adding that NATO's efforts will have a negative effect on the situation.
Russia is willing to cooperate with NATO only if the Alliance takes the country's national interests into consideration, Grushko noted.