Ahead of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin repeatedly warned the West about NATO's expansion, viewing it as a threat to Russia's security.
The clip was from a speech Joe Biden made at the Atlantic Council of the U.S. on June 18, 1997.
"I think the one place where the greatest consternation would be caused in the short-term for admission [to NATO], having nothing to do with the merit and preparedness of the country to come in, would be to admit Baltic states now in terms of NATO-Russian, US-Russian relations," Biden said in his speech.Ukraine War Live: Zelensky on Streets of Kyiv; 220K - 640K Without Power
"If there was ever anything that was going to tip the balance, were it to be tipped, in terms of a vigorous and hostile reaction in Russia, I don't mean military, it would be that." Biden went on to admit that he was an optimist and said he believed the issue would be resolved eventually., he claimed that he was optimistic that Russia would eventually see the expansion of NATO was actually also in their interest, regarding security.
"I once was told to be in this business you must be an optimist, some would suggest it is too optimistic a view," Biden continued."[We will solve this] to the degree in which Russia becomes comfortable with and it has demonstrated that the enlargement of NATO is ultimately in its interest in expanding stability.