Vladimir Putin: why not to join NATO?

Russian Security Council Chief Sergei Ivanov has admitted that in the distant future Russia might join NATO. "I, personally, never say 'never'," he told Interfax following his talks with NATO Secretary-General George Robertson on Tuesday. "In a hypothetical and distant context, it would be unreasonable to rule out such a possibility from the theoretical and scientific points of view." "If this ever happens, NATO's current image will change beyond recognition," Ivanov said. Robertson, in turn, said that he had never said "No" to Russian membership in NATO, Interfax reports. He said that Russian President Vladimir Putin also said, "Why not?," when he was asked about the possibility of Russia joining NATO.