Clinton: Putin will not live forever, we must stand with Ukraine until the end

(Patria) - Former US President Bill Clinton yesterday defended at a conference in Prague, held on the occasion of the anniversary of the accession of the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary to the Western defense alliance, the decision to expand NATO eastward 25 years ago during his term.

- Sometimes you just have to take a risk, and that's what everyone involved 25 years ago decided to do. I think it was a good investment. We did the right thing and expanded NATO, which continues to expand - Clinton said, Hina reported.

Three former members of the Warsaw Pact, an alliance dominated by the Soviet Union, joined NATO on March 12, 1999. The Warsaw Pact was dissolved in mid-1991.

The former US president also said that the West must stand by Ukraine until the end of the fight against Russia. However, he expressed hope that there will be other options over time.

- He probably won't like me saying this, but President Vladimir Putin will not live forever, and neither will I - Clinton said.

Responding to criticism that NATO expansion had neglected Russian security interests, Clinton emphasized that he had tried during his two terms, ending in early 2001, to attract Russians through the NATO-Russia Council.

- We offered them the opportunity to participate - Clinton added.

Czech President Petr Pavel presented Clinton with the Czech Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. Czech and German planes flew over Prague to mark the anniversary of the three countries' entry into NATO.