NATO spending plans confirm Russia concerns over alliance's military expansion

Russia says reports about NATO's plans to boost its military spending confirm Moscow's concerns over the US-led alliance’s eastward expansion, which President Vladimir Putin said was threatening his country.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that “NATO carries out actions aimed at containment and expansion with regards our country. This can only prompt our concern.”

He said that Russia would not be dragged into a costly arms race despite NATO's behavior.

Meanwhile, NATO leaders gathered in London for a summit marking the 29-member military alliance's 70th anniversary amid disagreements over several issues, including defense spending and Turkey's future role in the alliance.

The defense spending has long been an issue among the members, however. The US, which militarily dominates the alliance, has been calling for extra spending from other member states.

SS