MOSCOW, Feb. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that his nation has no intention of seeking membership in NATO, the Russian news agency Itar-Tass reported.

    Speaking to the Slovak media before visiting Slovakia on Feb. 24-25, Putin said a country which wishes to join NATO means it will give up its part of sovereignty. Russia does not need to join NATO, since its economic and defense strength can ensure the country's security.

    Russia has never regarded NATO as hostile since the former Soviet Union was dissolved. But Putin said NATO's eastward expansion does not accord with the current development in the world. The expansion will not be conducive to fighting against terrorism and preventing nuclear proliferation.

    On Russian-US relations, Putin said both countries have nurtured a high degree of trust and cooperation in dealing with key world affairs.

    When talking about the ties with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Russian leader noted that Russia hasits own interests among the CIS and will develop the relations on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

    On the Chechen issue, Putin stressed it must be resolved through political dialogue and economic development.

    Putin will hold a meeting with his US counterpart George W. Bush on Thursday in the Slovak capital, Bratislava, and might exchange views with Bush over the situation in Iraq and the MiddleEast, and the nuclear issues in Iran and Korean Peninsular.

    Bilateral relations, particularly the economic and trade cooperation, will certainly be discussed, he added. Enditem