Russia Vows to Retaliate if NATO Expands Eastward

NATO's expansion to the east could prompt Moscow to take "adequate" measures, Alexander Lukashevich, a spokesman for Russia's Foreign Ministry, has said.

Russia's official comments follow Ukraine's move on Tuesday to abandon its neutral status with a prospect to seek NATO membership in the years to come. Kiev also stated then it would pursue the goal, though Western politicians are divided over any likelihood of Ukraine's accession.

Lukashevich has warned that a "Euro-Atlantic" stance of Ukraine will not address its social and economic problems, according to Russian TV station NTV.

He has described countermeasures as "inevitable".

In his words, the latest developments convey "an impression that the leaders of Ukraine are considering closer ties with NATO as an alternative to normal relations with Russia."