Russian prime minister refuses to accept that Georgia needs to join NATO

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev
It is no longer news that Russia sees NATO as a hostile military bloc. The country knows that the military alliance is all about protecting Western interests. Both are suspicious of each other.

The Russians are not unaware that the West is continually making forays into the East. They are not particularly amused about this. Russia keeps an eye on all its neighbours.

It would be recalled that Russian forces entered two breakaway Georgian regions in 2008, which remain garrisoned by Russian troops to this day.




Being aware of NATO's overtures, President Vladimir Putin recently warned NATO against cultivating closer ties with Ukraine and Georgia.

Russian prime minister was more forthcoming. He told Russia's Kommersant FM radio station :
"It (Georgia's entry to NATO) could provoke a terrible conflict. It's not clear why this is needed.''

NATO leaders discussed ties with Georgia at their summit in Brussels in July.

Prominent Georgian politicians want their country to join the Western military alliance. However, they have seen chances of joining hampered by Russian territorial incursions.