Jens Stoltenberg: Russia should in no way be afraid or entitled to veto or suspend any sovereign state from joining the alliance

"Sovereign, independent nations have the right to choose their own path," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference in Brussels today, answering a question about whether Ukraine's NATO membership was a threat to Russia.

"No, on the one hand, because NATO is a defense alliance. On the other hand, because Ukraine is a sovereign state and it is up to Ukraine and NATO allies to decide when Ukraine will be ready for NATO membership. No other country has the right to interfere or say anything in this process, because Ukraine is a sovereign independent country. Sovereign independent nations have the right to choose their own path," Stoltenberg said.

According to him, Russia should not have the right to block any sovereign state from joining the alliance. "NATO enlargement in recent decades has actually contributed to peace and stability throughout Europe, and therefore Russia should in no way be afraid or entitled to veto or suspend any sovereign state from joining the alliance," he said.