Moscow, January 2 (RHC)-- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new defense strategy document that declares the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) a threat to Russia’s national security.
 
The document, which was signed by Putin this week, considers NATO’s military buildup in various countries as a major foreign threat against Russian national security.  It also updates Russia’s national security posture and outlines the threats that Russia sees in NATO’s expansion.
 
The signing of the document comes against the backdrop of a rising military presence by the U.S. and its NATO allies in Eastern Europe and the Baltics.
 
The Western military coalition has increased its troop and equipment presence in Poland and the Baltic nations in order to deter perceived Russian threats. Montenegro is the latest former Soviet bloc country to join the NATO.
 
In a separate statement, President Putin said Moscow’s independent policy making is what drives the US-led Western military alliance to feel the need for expansion in a bid to maintain its “domination.”