OREANDA-NEWS The NATO bloc, violating its own doctrines, is trying to expand in Asia, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. He is quoted by TASS.

"The North Atlantic Alliance, oddly enough, in violation of its own doctrinal documents, is making attempts to go beyond the geographical scope of its activities," the Russian leader said.

According to Putin, unlike NATO, Russia and China "do not build any military alliances following the example of the Cold War."

Earlier, on the eve of his visit to China, Putin recalled that in 1991, NATO promised not to expand to the east. Putin accused NATO of expanding to the east and said that the bloc had gone through five similar waves since 1991.