Medvedev says Russia is ready for NATO sanctions

Comments from the Russian President today have done nothing to dispel fears the Kremlin is on an increasing collision course with the West.

Meeting Moscow’s envoy to NATO, Dmitry Medvedev said he was ready for any sanctions the military alliance could throw at his country, including it halting relations with Russia altogether.

Speaking in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Medvedev said that NATO member states were more interested in co-operating with Russia than vice versa. And if they stop it, he went on, it is not a big deal for us.

In another sign of Moscow pulling away from the West, Premier Vladimir Putin said Russia sees no advantages to World Trade Organisation membership and should freeze some commitments it made in entry talks.