In a keynote speech on the second day of his visit to Moscow, U.S. President Barack Obama, among other issues, also spoke about the state sovereignty as a “cornerstone of international order” and mentioned Georgia and Ukraine in this context.

“Just as all states should have the right to choose their leaders, states must have the right to borders that are secure, and to their own foreign policies. That is true for Russia, just as it is true for the United States. Any system that cedes those rights will lead to anarchy. That is why this principle must apply to all nations and that includes nations like Georgia and Ukraine,” the U.S. President said.

In his speech at Moscow’s New Economic School on July 7, he also said: “In 2009, the great power does not show strength by dominating or demonizing other countries. The days when empires could treat other sovereign states as pieces on a chess board are over.”

President Obama also touched NATO saying that the United States would “never impose a security arrangement on another country” and added that the Alliance should seek “collaboration with Russia, not confrontation.”

“For any country to become a member of NATO, a majority of its people must choose to; they must undertake reforms; and they must be able to contribute to the Alliance’s mission,” he said.