‘We’re not threatening anybody’: Putin criticises US for ‘deploying missiles close to our home’

Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the West on Thursday to move quickly to meet Russia’s demand for security guarantees precluding NATO’s expansion to Ukraine and the deployment of the military alliance’s weapons there.

Speaking during a marathon annual news conference, the Russian leader welcomed talks with the U.S. that are set to start in Geneva next month, but warned the discussion focused on Moscow’s demand needs to produce quick results.

Putin said: “We want to ensure our security. We put it straight: there must be no further expansion of NATO eastward.”

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