The possible entry of Ukraine and Georgia into NATO will become a military and economic problem for Russia, will force it to build a defensive belt near Sochi. This was stated today by director of Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of All-European cooperation Andrey Kelin, - Interfax-Ukraine reports.
"For us, this will be a huge military and economic problem. We will have to build a defensive belt near our current third capital - Sochi", - he said at the Valdai Discussion Club.
"We will have to spend enormous resources to prevent possible actions of potential enemy. This is inevitable", - he noted.
According to him, in such a scenario, Russia "will have to build defensive echelons on the border with Ukraine". "And transfer the edge of our defensive constructions to the South in relation to Ukraine", - A.Kelin said.
According to him, "now the situation does not dictate" that the entry of Ukraine and Georgia into NATO may happen in the near future. "But if relations are launched, if our Western - not partners any more - will follow the path of forcing further confrontation, of course, this can happen without a doubt. And we will have to prepare for it seriously", - A.Kelin said.