US has opened door to Ukraine joining NATO military bloc, Putin says, warning West could station rockets ‘under Russia’s nose’

The Pentagon chief’s

The Pentagon chief’s recent visit to Kiev must be seen as a precursor to Ukraine joining NATO, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed, saying the bloc could use training as a pretext to station rockets in the country.

Speaking to delegates at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on Thursday, Putin said that a trip earlier this week by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin could “open the door” for the Eastern European nation to become a member of the pact.

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