Russia promises firm reaction if Ukraine joins NATO

(10 Jul 2023) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ++PLEASE NOTE: AP IS OPERATING IN RUSSIA ACCORDING TO RUSSIAN RESTRICTIONS ON ALL REPORTING RELATED TO THE ONGOING MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE++ ASSOCIATED PRESS Moscow, Russia - 17 December 2021 1. STILL of Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov ++OVERLAYS AUDIO IN SHOT 2++ ASSOCIATED PRESS Moscow, Russia - 10 July 2023 2. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin: “We know that very lively discussions are now going on among the member countries of the alliance on the eve, especially on the eve of the NATO summit. We know that there are different points of view on this matter (Ukraine joining NATO). We know that the Kyiv regime is trying to put pressure on everyone in a variety of ways, so that as many countries as possible, on the eve of this summit, demonstrate their solidarity on this issue.” ++BLACK FRAMES++ ASSOCIATED PRESS Moscow, Russia - 23 December 2021 3. STILL of Peskov ++OVERLAYS AUDIO IN SHOT 4++ ASSOCIATED PRESS Moscow, Russia - 10 July 2023 4. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin: “And you know, the position of the Russian Federation is absolutely understandable and consistent that Ukraine's membership in NATO will have very, very negative consequences for the entire security architecture, the already dilapidated security architecture in Europe. And it will be absolutely obviously a danger to our country, which will require a fairly understandable and firm reaction from us.” STORYLINE: Ukraine’s possible NATO membership would be considered as a threat to Russia and lead to “a fairly understandable and firm reaction,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday. Peskov told journalists Moscow's position on the issue had been "consistent" and was "absolutely understandable", arguing the expansion of the alliance would be a "danger to our country". Russia was "aware" of discussions among NATO member states on Ukraine's accession ahead of their upcoming summit in Vilnius, he added. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...