Putin: NATO Expansion Not Acceptable, Talks w/Biden Clear & Constructive

Wires and social media carrying comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin stating that 'NATO expansion is not acceptable'. The continued increase in NATO member states combined with the increasing closeness of relations between a number of former Soviet states and the European Union remains a major security concern for the Kremlin and is one of the prime drivers behind the ratcheting up of tensions between Russia and Ukraine and the West.

• Putin states that NATO's policy towards Russia is 'confrontational' and that Russia's security must not be undermined, which further expansion of NATO would be sure to do.
• Following talks with US President Biden earlier in the week, Russia is to send security proposals to the US within a week. Putin states that "My conversation with Biden was clear and constructive".