Russia in NATO? Not anytime soon, say experts

A suggestion that Moscow can become a member of a military alliance is a 'tease' and a 'joke', Chinese analysts said yesterday.

US Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon said on Tuesday that Washington is not ruling out Russian membership in NATO. Gordon said the alliance should be open to European democracies, the Associated Press reported.

"If Russia meets the criteria and can contribute to common security, and there is a consensus in the alliance, it shouldn't be excluded," he was quoted as saying.