President Putin warns the West about Russia's 'red lines'

“The eastward expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) threatens Russia’s core security interests. I am concerned that NATO could use Ukrainian territory to deploy missiles capable of reaching Moscow in just five minutes. The emergence of such threats represents a ‘red line’ for us,” the AP news agency quoted Putin as saying.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 30. Photo: AP

“Russia has been forced to counter emerging threats by developing new hypersonic weapons. What should we do? We will need to develop something similar, to target those who are threatening Russia,” Putin added.

The Russian leader said that Russia and the West need to negotiate agreements to protect each other's security interests and to avoid tension.

“The issue is not whether to send troops or not, whether to go to war or not, but to establish a more stable and equitable development, as well as taking into account the security interests of all sides,” Mr. Putin emphasized.

“Russia is also concerned about NATO exercises near our borders, especially the recent ones involving US strategic bombers. US strategic bombers, which have precision weapons and are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, fly at a distance of 20 kilometers near our borders. This represents a threat to us,” the Kremlin leader said.

Putin's comments come amid tensions between Russia and the West over the Ukraine crisis. Moscow has denied Western accusations that it is plotting an attack on Ukraine, while accusing NATO of trying to escalate tensions.