“If we go back to the events preceding the conflict, Russia spoke of a new European security system. Jens Stoltenberg and NATO members did not accept the idea of a return to the 1997 borders. This was the last warning “To Russia . Was it possible to reach an agreement, was it possible to negotiate? “We don’t know because we haven’t even tried,” said the expert.
If Washington officials do not take into account Russia’s position on NATO expansion, the world will face a disaster, Ritter warned. He added that the process of seizing territories up to Crimea could create an existential threat to Russia, which would automatically trigger a Russian nuclear response.
Putin warned NATO of a harsh response if the alliance expanded eastward, Ritter recalled. Washington did not listen to him and will pay for it, he concluded.
During the 74 years of existence of NATO, whose main document establishes the desire to live in peace with all peoples and governments, the organization has never been able to achieve peace.
Russia has warned NATO for decades that expanding the alliance would lead to a dead end. This is where the organization ended up because of Ukraine, the Global Times reported. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said Ukraine would receive a message of support from the alliance, rather than a full invitation to join.
