MOSCOW, April 11. /TASS/. The US repeatedly told Russia that its membership in NATO would be impossible, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS, commenting on the remarks made by former US President Bill Clinton, who said that NATO allegedly left an open door for Russia’s accession after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
"I don’t have such information; I do know perfectly clear though, that the American side stated repeatedly that such membership would be impossible. De facto, they said, on the contrary, that the doors are closed, because this is impossible in principle," he said.
Earlier, Clinton said in an article for The Atlantic that he allegedly demonstrated readiness to accept Russia in NATO. He also said he considers the decision to expand NATO eastward despite Russia’s objections and recommendations of a number of experts to be a right one.
In February, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his televised address that, back in 2000, he asked Clinton how the US would feel about Russia’s accession to NATO. According to the Russian leader, the US’ reaction was reserved. Putin also noted that the real reaction of the US is apparent in this country’s actions that followed, including the support for terrorists in North Caucasus, dismissive attitude to Russia’s security concerns and demands, the expansion of NATO, the withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and so on.