NATO turns 75. What's the history of USSR and Russia relations with the alliance?
The NATO military-political bloc was created in 1949 in the United States with the aim of protecting Europe from the possible threat of Soviet expansion. Five years later, the USSR itself applied to join the alliance, but was rejected. In 2000, Vladimir Putin, as he said, suggested that Bill Clinton consider the issue of Russia joining NATO.
Source: sbs.com.au
