Vladimir Putin believes it "strategically and tactically" incorrect to hinder Estonia from entering NATO

On the part of Russia, "it would be incorrect, both from the strategic and tactical points of view, to hinder Estonia from entering NATO." This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday at the news conference for Russian and foreign journalists in the Kremlin when he answered the question of a journalist from Estonia. According to the head of the Russian state, "the choice of any people, including the people of Estonia, should be respected." At the same time, said Vladimir Putin, Moscow does not think that "the expansion of NATO will improve somebody's security," having in mind the Alliance's member states and the candidates for entering it.

The Russian President reminded the audience that at the present time it is necessary to pay prime attention to today's threats: terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear weapons. According to the President, they are closely interconnected.

Touching upon the observance of human rights in Estonia, Vladimir Putin underscored that Russia "continues to believe that they are being infringed upon." Meanwhile, according to the head of the Russian state, of late "we feel certain positive changes in this respect on the part of Estonia." "We receive these signals with gratitude, and react to them," said Vladimir Putin. He pointed out that Moscow wanted the Russian-Estonian relations "to enter a higher, more qualitative level."