Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov yesterday justified President Vladimir Putin's heavy accusation against the United States over NATO's expansion.

"I don't think Putin's remarks are aggressive," he told reporters at a press conference after a high-profile security conference here.

Putin's remarks were simply "a reminder" of the fact that the United States is breaking its promises it made a decade ago that NATO would not move closer to Russian borders, said the minister.

Russia, for its part, has no intention of starting a second Cold War, he said.

"A Cold War would not be a good development," he said.

Russia remains committed to non-proliferation of weapons, but the United States has been spending much more than it did in the Cold War period, which has sparked grave concerns across the world,said the minister.

On Saturday, Putin criticized NATO at the conference for its expansion, describing such a move as "a serious factor which reduces the level of mutual trust."

The accession to NATO in 2004 by three former Soviet republics -- Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia -- brought the military alliance to the gates of Russia.

Putin also slammed the United States for its "almost uncontained" use of force around the world.

The United States and NATO made low-profile responses to Putin's remarks, merely saying the West and Russia should seek cooperation.

"We expect to continue cooperation with Russia in areas important to the international community such as counter terrorism and reducing the spread and threat of weapons of mass destruction," said Gordon Johndroe, press secretary for the White House National Security Council.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who was also attending the meeting, said, "We all face many common problems and challenges that must be addressed in partnership with other countries, including Russia."

NATO "needs to find partners" in order to deal with the current and upcoming global challenges, and Russia remains an important one, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said at the meeting.

The three-day Munich security meeting ending Sunday focused on NATO's role, the Middle East peace process, transatlantic relations, the West's relations with Russia and the fight against international terrorism.