Harsh Russian statements on Ukraine, Georgia, NATO are harmful to Russia - Nikonov

Quote: Moscow's combative response to the possibility of Ukraine and Georgia joining NATO will bring only harm to the country, because it will be seen as a threat from Russia and will push these countries toward NATO with an added force, political scientist Vyacheslav Nikonov said.
"I think such discussion is harmful. Whatever the Russian side says, this will be used by Georgian and Ukrainian propaganda to strengthen the position of those in favor of NATO," Nikonov told Interfax on Friday.
Russian statements on this issue will be seen by Tbilisi and Kyiv as a "threat coming from Russia," he said.
"Therefore I consider the conversations on this issue, especially discussion of details of possibly response measures to be counterproductive," Nikonov said.
Whatever Russian politicians say on these response measures, "it will be used by those people who have got the task from the leadership of the relevant countries to make every effort to join NATO," he said.
"I think all Russian politicians and experts should be restrained in this issue," he said.

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