MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. Moscow will respond proportionally to NATO’s aggressive moves that pose a direct threat to Russia’s security, President Vladimir Putin said, addressing a meeting of Russian ambassadors and envoys on Thursday.

According to him, the key to ensuring security and stability in Europe lies in boosting cooperation and restoring trust "rather than in establishing new military bases and NATO military infrastructure near Russia’s borders, which is what is happening now," Putin said.

"We will respond proportionally to aggressive moves that pose a direct threat to Russia," Putin said. "Our counterparts who bet on rising tensions, are trying to bring, say, Ukraine and Georgia into the alliance’s military orbit but they should think about the possible consequences of such an irresponsible policy," the Russian leader stressed.

"There is a need for a different - more positive - agenda, aimed at boosting cooperation and the search for common ground," Putin concluded, adding that he had discussed the matter with US President Donald Trump at their meeting in Helsinki on July 16.