US envoy calls Russia's concern over NATO expansion natural

According to RIA Novosti on May 30, US President's special envoy Keith Kellogg said that Russia's concern about NATO's expansion to the East is completely natural.

"This is a natural concern. We have said repeatedly that for us, Ukraine's accession to NATO is not on the agenda, and we are not the only country that thinks that way. You know, I can name four NATO countries, and you need 32 of the 32 to allow you to join NATO. And we have seen other countries talk about the uncertainty of Ukraine's accession to the alliance," special envoy Keith Kellogg told ABC News.

Special envoy Keith Kellogg added that at the talks on resolving the Ukraine issue in Istanbul next week, there will be the participation of security advisers from France, Germany and Britain.

"And we will have with us what we call the EU trio. That is the national security advisers from Germany, France and the UK. When we were in London during the Ukraine talks, they helped us shape the basic principles for Ukraine. And they will be there, and we will also get feedback from them," Mr. Kellogg told ABC, speaking about the talks in Istanbul next week.

In recent years, Russia has noted unprecedented NATO activity near its western borders. The alliance has expanded its initiatives and called them a deterrent to aggression. Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern about the bloc's buildup of forces in Europe.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it is open to dialogue with NATO, but on an equal basis, while the West should abandon the process of militarizing the continent.