Moscow - Saba:
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday that increasing defense spending by NATO countries will not benefit anyone and will create additional risks.
Putin said during a meeting with heads of international news agencies on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, according to Sputnik News Agency: "If NATO countries want to increase their defense budgets further, that's their business, but it will not benefit anyone and will inevitably create new risks."
Putin described NATO's plans to increase military spending as "irrational and pointless."
Earlier, French media reported, citing unnamed diplomats, that "the main focus at the NATO summit in The Hague will not be on Ukraine, but on reaching an agreement that satisfies US President Donald Trump regarding increased defense spending among NATO member states."
The NATO Summit is scheduled to be held in The Hague on June 24-25.
Saint Petersburg, Russia, will host the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum from June 18-21, under the theme "Shared Values - The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World."