NATO continues to pose a serious threat...

"We have grave doubts [that Russia will be more secure due to NATO expansion]," the Russian Security Council secretary said at a news conference in RIA Novosti. "NATO represents a rather serious threat to us."

Since the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, NATO has expanded from 12 members to 28, absorbing the majority of Moscow"s Cold War allies in Eastern Europe and some former Soviet republics.

Patrushev criticized NATO for its continued enlargement efforts, including its encouragement of Georgia"s and Ukraine"s bids to join the alliance.

He also blamed NATO for arming and preparing Georgia for an attack on South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and said NATO countries continued to supply Tbilisi with weaponry despite Russia"s protests.

MOSCOW, February 9 (RIA Novosti)