Russian MP: Ukraine's admission to NATO could hurt Russia

Mikhail Margelov, speaking at a conference on Russia-NATO cooperation, said: "Experts indicate the likelihood of undesirable internal political developments within Russia if Ukraine becomes a NATO  member."

Russia needs to open a discussion with NATO as soon as possible on ways of minimizing the possible fallout from Ukraine's membership, Margelov added.

"To minimize this, we should actively develop military-technical cooperation with NATO. This would help preserve the Ukrainian defense complex, which is closely linked with Russia's," he said.

NATO and Russia have been cooperating through the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) since 2002. The NRC was created as a forum to advance relations between the 26 NATO members and Russia.