Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that Moscow had no interest in fighting NATO, noting instead that he was interested in “developing relations” with the military alliance.
In an interview with state TV network Rossiya 24, Putin dismissed comments by U.S. President Joe Biden, who said earlier this month that Russia would attack a NATO country if it won the war in Ukraine, according to Tass news agency.
“It is complete nonsense – and I think President Biden understands that,” Putin said in comments cited by Reuters.
“Russia has no reason, no interest – no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military – to fight with NATO countries,” he added.
NATO’s eastward expansion has long been seen as a chief driver of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Biden’s claim formed part of his appeal to Republicans not to block further military aid to Ukraine.