Russia designates NATO as a threat

MOSCOW, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Russia's updated national security strategy, signed this week by Russian President Vladimir Putin, lists NATO as a threat to the country.

The strategy, which is updated every six years, says Russia's "independent domestic and foreign policy" has spurred a "counter-action" from the United States and its allies -- who are accused of trying to dominate global affairs.

The paper points to NATO's buildup of military forces around Russia's borders as "violations of norms of international law." It also says Russia is bolstering its military "on the background of new threats to national security that have a complicated and interlinked character."

The BBC reported Putin wants the United States to acknowledge the right to treat post-Soviet neighbors as part of Russia's sphere of influence, free of any NATO ties.

In the aftermath of the Ukranian conflict in 2014, Kremlin adviser Mikhail Popov said NATO's expansion in recent years presented an "external threat" to Russia.

Albania and Croatia joined NATO in 2009. Two years later, Bosnia, Georgia, Macedonia and Montenegro were recognized.