Putin: NATO contradicts itself by increasing military expenditure while talking about establishing relations with Russia
In an interview for Le Figaro, Russian President Vladimir Putin called NATO’s plans contradictory, since it is increasing military expenditure but simultaneously talking about a desire to establish relations with Russia.
“At the NATO summit there was talk that NATO wants to establish good relations with Russia. But why then are they increasing their military expenditure? Who are they intending to fight against? There are a couple of internal contradictions here,” Putin observed.
The Russian leader added that these are the internal affairs of the alliance itself.
“Let NATO work out who, how much and what to pay for, this does not concern us much. We will secure our own defensive capability – we will make it reliable, with a view to the future, we are sure of ourselves,” the Russian president added.
Previously, NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg said that the organization’s position on strengthening of its defense is a response to Russia’s actions.