You're reading: Peskov: Russia will take protective measures if Ukraine joins NATO

 Moscow hopes that Kyiv will not be seriously considering its NATO membership, otherwise Russia will be compelled to take measures if this military organization approaches its borders, said Russian President's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov. "Ukraine is not a NATO member, and we hope that the military and political future of this country, though not discussed in any productive way in Geneva, will not involve such membership," Peskov said on the Pravo Znat (Right to Know) program on the TV-Center channel.

 One more step by NATO towards the Russian borders and its close approach of them will lead to the redrawing of the entire European security architecture, and this will be a serious threat to Russia, the official said.

“Despite all its programs for cooperation, development, partnership and so on, NATO cannot cease being a military organization. One cannot write books with an AK rifle, it is a weapon, and NATO, too, cannot build and create, it is a military organization,” the president’s spokesman said.

“If this organization approaches our borders, Russia will, of course, have to take steps to ensure its security,” Peskov said.