Ivanov: Georgia, Ukraine May Join NATO within 7-10 Years

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov said in the interview with news agency RIA Novosti on June 10 that NATO expansion in the post-Soviet space will be painful for Russia. He admitted that Georgia and Ukraine may become NATO member states in the near future.

?If Georgia and Ukraine decide to join NATO, they will do it. It may happen within 7-10 years,? RIA Novosti quotes Ivanov as saying on June 10.

The Russian Defense Minister did not rule out that in the event of this accession into NATO, military hardware will be deployed on their territories. 

Georgia first declared about its intention to become a NATO member state at the Prague Summit in 2002.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)