If Ukraine joins NATO and attacks Crimea, there will be a conflict between Russia and the alliance, Russian President Vladimir Putin said following his talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, Report informs, citing TASS.
"... Ukraine's doctrinal documents state that Russia is an adversary and that the return of Crimea by military means is possible - imagine that Ukraine is a NATO member... it means that a military confrontation will arise between Russia and NATO. Should we fight NATO? But there is also the second part of the question: do you want to fight against Russia? Do you want France to fight against Russia? But that's how it will be!" Putin said.
He stressed that Russia's concern "is also dictated by issues related to common European security."
The Kyiv authorities have already twice tried to solve the problem of Donbas by force, and a new, third time is not ruled out, Putin said.
For 30 years, Russia has been urging NATO not to take certain actions, but all its proposals and concerns have been ignored, the president said.
"For 30 years now, we have been trying to persuade not to do this or that, but there was a complete disregard for our concerns, demands, proposals," the Russian leader said.
The Russian president believes that there will be no winners in the event of a military conflict between Russia and NATO.
"I said, but I would very much like you to finally hear me and convey this to your readers, viewers and users on the Internet: do you understand that if Ukraine joins NATO and returns Crimea by military means, European countries will automatically be drawn into a military conflict with Russia?" he said.
The Russian leader noted that the potential of NATO and Russia is incomparable. "We understand (this). But we also understand that Russia is one of the leading nuclear powers, and in some respects ... even ahead of many. There will be no winners," he said.