Powell for further expansion

NATO will push ahead with expansion, the U.S. secretary of state declared, despite Russian objections that went unmentioned at the historic Italy summit giving Moscow a say in NATO decision making.

Colin Powell told reporters on May 28 that a statement released by Moscow's foreign ministry reiterating its opposition to the expansion of the Atlantic military alliance "does not surprise or shock me. It's been the Russian position for some time."

But he said there was "no doubt" NATO would be inviting other nations to become members at a summit in the Czech capital Prague in November, despite differences between the new partners.

"As we have said all along, and as we have discussed with the Russians quite candidly, Russia cannot have a veto over who becomes a member of NATO or not," he said.

He said the signing of the Rome Declaration creating a council and other joint initiatives between the United States and Russia had succeeded in making the issue "less of a problem for the Russians and less of an irritant in our relations."

President Vladimir Putin confirmed Russia's position at the post-summit press conference when asked about his neighbor Ukraine's recently-stated wish to become a full NATO member.

"Our position hasn't changed," said Putin, who soft-pedaled his response, adding that Kiev's intention to join NATO raised no particular concerns in Moscow.

"Ukraine is a sovereign state," he said.