Russian President Vladimir Putin gives an interview to American journalist Tucker Carlson. (Source: Wion)

If Russia receives approval for its proposal to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and sees the sincere will of its partners, the rapprochement will begin and joining the US-led military alliance could take place, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson.

At the plenary session of the Valdai International Discussion Club, President Putin recalled that he had proposed that the Russian Federation join NATO, but the military alliance refused.

According to the Russian leader, the reason is the geopolitical interests of the Western collective and their attitude towards other countries.

Mr. Putin shared: “I became President of Russia in 2000. I thought: okay, that's it, the Yugoslav issue is over, we need to try to restore relations, anyway we have to open the door that Russia needs to go through.

Moreover, I spoke about that prospect publicly, I might repeat, at a meeting in the Kremlin with (then US President) Bill Clinton, who was about to leave office - right here, in the next room - I asked him: Listen, Bill, what do you think if Russia raises the issue of joining NATO, do you think that prospect will become a reality?

He replied right away: You know, this future is interesting, I think it's possible. But in the afternoon, when we met for dinner, he said: You know, I talked to my people, my team - no, it's not possible right now.