Gennady Zyuganov Warns Against NATO Expansion 🇷🇺

(21 Feb 1997) Russian/Nat

Russia's opposition leader warned the West Thursday that eastward expansion of NATO would be a big mistake.

Russian Communist Party Leader, Gennady Zyuganov issued the warning in a speech at a U-S Russian Business Forum in Washington.

Zyuganov also used the platform to condemn Russian leader Boris Yeltsin, saying the president's problem isn't his health, but rather his incompetence at solving Russia's problems.

In his drive to be Russia's next president, Communist Party Leader Gennady Zyuganov made it clear once again that he believes it's time for Yeltsin to step down.

The opposition leader said ailing President Boris Yeltsin was not able to pull Russia out of its crisis.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"I think Yeltsin's problem is not his health. I sincerely wish him well, and I wish he'd get back on his feet soon. I don't think this is his problem because even when he was healthy and sober he could not find any good solutions to any of the problems that the country is experiencing."
SUPER CAPTION: Gennady A. Zyuganov, Leader of the Communist faction, State Duma of the Russian Federation

Gennady Zyuganov, on a five-day-visit to the United States, was speaking in Washington D.C. at a U-S - Russian Business Forum.

Commenting on NATO's plans to expand eastward, the communist leader warned such a move would be a big mistake.

Moscow feels threatened by NATO's plans. Zyuganov stressed expansion eastward was totally unnecessary.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Ask yourselves the question Russian is in a difficult phase right now, it does not threat anyone and under the circumstances why do you need to expand the military unions?"
SUPER CAPTION: Gennady A. Zyuganov, Leader of the Communist faction, State Duma of the Russian Federation

Zyuganov praised Deng Xiaoping, the ardent Communist, for the success of the reforms he unleashed in China.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"I was astonished about how dynamic the development of China is and I think the reforms started by Deng Xiaoping work and I think they are very beneficial."
SUPER CAPTION: Gennady A. ZYUGanOv, Leader of the Communist action, State Duma of the Russian Federation

Zyuganov was defeated by Boris Yeltsin in Russia's presidential election runoff last July.

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