A staff member hangs a US national flag before US President Joe Biden arrives for the European Council meeting in Brussels, Belgium, March 24, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]
ROME - The eastward expansion of the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) toward Russia is a major root cause of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which could take a heavy toll on the European economy, an Italian economist has said.
NATO EXPANSION RED LINE FOR RUSSIA
Michele Geraci, former undersecretary of state at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview that the military alliance's moves have created two main problems for Russia.
"From the Russian point of view, NATO's expansion into eastern Europe is a breach of a promise" made in the 1990s, Geraci said.
"Second, Russia considers this expansion a threat to its territorial integrity and national security, so President (Vladimir) Putin for the last ten years has been saying that this is not acceptable, and that NATO has crossed a red line."
"Every country has its own red lines. For Russia, the red line was having NATO at its borders," he said.
NATO has gone through five rounds of enlargement to the east since 1999, increasing the number of its members from 16 to 30 and reaching the Russian border.
Related articles:
Related suggestion:
Quan, Wang add two golds for China at diving World Cup in BerlinChina's National Legislators Start to Elect Chinese President, Other State LeadersResidents and tourists seized the tail of ski season in Urumqi to enjoy snow funQuan, Wang add two golds for China at diving World Cup in BerlinCPC Central Committee Holds Consultative Meeting on Reform Plan of Party, State InstitutionsXi Focus: China Pursues Development for People's WellXi Holds Talks with Belarusian PresidentPhotovoltaic power generation boosts green development in rural areasBiden sanctions Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians and peace activists in West BankCherry blossom in Yuyuantan Park, with the Central Television Tower as background
3.1383s , 6504.859375 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by Europe bears brunt of Russia ,World Wonders news portal