NATO expansion is a threat to the Russian Federation - the statement was made by the Russian Prime Minister.

"Kommersant" published a complete interview with Dmitry Medvedev.

According to the Russian Prime Minister, Georgia"s entry into NATO may have catastrophic consequences.
Dmitry Medvedev when talking about the August said that the war started between Georgia and the so-called South Ossetia and Russia got iknvolved in the process only later.

Dmitry Medvedev assesses decision to join NATO in the future as an irresponsible position by the alliance and a real threat to peace.

When asked by journalist whether the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia ended the possibilty to restore relations between Russia and Georgia, Medvedev replied that he did not think so.

"NATO expansion is certainly a threat to the Russian Federation. A short time ago a new decision was made that Georgia is expected and will be in the North Atlantic Alliance in the future. This is a completely irresponsible position and may provoke military conflict because Abkhazia and South Ossetia are independent states with whom we have friendly relations and where our military bases are located.

As regards relations between Georgia and Russia after recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, I think this is not a problem that can determine the nature of relations between Russia and Georgia forever. We remind that now there is another government in Georgia and we are ready to develop relations with the new government, "Medvedev said.