Medvedev: Georgia, Ukraine should not be "dragged" into NATO

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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said NATO is beginning to realize that Georgia and Ukraine should not be "dragged" into its alliance.

In this photo taken Friday, July 24, 2009, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gestures during his interview with Russia's NTV television in Moscow. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Mikhail Klimentyev, Presidential Press Service)

However the United States pledges support for the two former Soviet republics' efforts to join NATO.

Dmitry Medvedev, Russian President, said, "We don't think it's right to drag certain countries into military and political alliances against the will of their nationals. As I see recently, the understanding that these respected states are not ready to make this sort of decision and that the alliance is not ready to absorb them is gradually understood."

Medvedev said that Ukraine, where the idea of joining the alliance remains unpopular, should hold a referendum to "provide a legitimate ground" for NATO membership.

As for Georgia, he questioned whether NATO needed a state with many problems. Medvedev meanwhile, emphasized the importance of good ties with Washington, but said Russia will not be pushed around.