NATO Expansion Draws Russian Ire Plus Hints of Better Relations
- Alliance to expand in southeastern Europe by adding Montenegro
- Russia warns of consequences but is open to political dialogue
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NATO and Russia traded insinuations while offering hints of a thaw in relations after the U.S.-led military alliance extended its reach deeper into southeastern Europe.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization officials said an offer of membership to Montenegro, a country of 620,000 people with close economic links to Russia, will help piece together a more secure Europe and isn’t meant to antagonize the Kremlin. It will take a year or more for Montenegro to become a full NATO member.