Russian President Vladimir Putin said that NATO's actual military presence in Ukraine poses a real threat to Russia, Interfax-Ukraine reported.

«That threat (from NATO) is significant for us. Formal NATO membership (of Ukraine) may not take place, but the military development of the territory is already underway. And this really poses a threat to the Russian Federation,» Putin said at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi.

He drew a parallel with the situation in the late 1980s related to the unification of Germany.

«When everyone on all sides said that after the unification of the same Germany in any case there will be no movement to the west of the infrastructure of NATO, at least in this Russia should have been sure. So they said, there were public statements. But what happened in practice? They were deceived. And now they say: Where is the paperwork, show me,» said the President.

«So, they expanded once and twice, but what are the military-strategic consequences? Infrastructure is approaching. Here in Romania, Poland have installed missile defense systems, but with launchers on which you can place Tomahawks – strike systems. And it's easy to do, by a simple click, just change the software, and that's all,» said Vladimir Putin.

Putin also said that the statements of U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin can be seen as opening the door to NATO for Ukraine.

«Here came the defense minister, who, in fact, opens the door to Ukraine to NATO. In fact, his statements should and can be interpreted that way. He says that yes, every country has the right to choose. No one says no. No one. These are not security guarantees for Russia. This is just talk on a given topic. And, of course, it worries us,» Putin said.

«As for the bases, I know the relevant constitutional provisions of Ukraine, but no one forbids training centers. And under the label of training centers you can place anything you want,» the Russian president said, commenting on the topic of Ukraine and NATO.