Vladimir Putin: Russia-NATO relations depend on NATO adherence to international law

Future relations between Russia and NATO "directly depend on how precisely the basic provisions of international law are adhered to, first of all in the sphere of no-recourse to force and the threat of force," Russian President Vladimir Putin said while delivering his annual address to the Russian Federal Assembly. Russia remains "consistent in its relations with NATO," which are regulated by the Russia-NATO Founding Act signed in 1997, Putin said. At the same time, "the problem is that this organisation [NATO] often ignores the international society's opinion and provisions of international legal documents in making its decisions," the Russian president said. "This is the main problem," he stressed. "Our position is clear: the only organisation authorised to sanction the use of force in international relations is the UN Security Council," the president stressed, Interfax reports. Observers note that Putin has not mentioned relations between Russia and the U.S. in his address.