Moscow ? President Vladimir Putin on Thursday named a prominent nationalist politician as Russia’s ambassador to NATO at a time of severely strained ties between Moscow and the Western alliance.

The appointment of outspoken nationalist Dmitry Rogozin is the latest reflection of Putin’s assertive stance toward the West, which he accuses of meddling in Russia’s affairs and says must treat Moscow as an equal.

But while it may place a stronger spotlight on Russia’s wrangling with NATO, it did not appear to signal a shift in Russian policy toward its former Cold War foe.

NATO has angered Moscow by expanding into former Warsaw Pact nations and the ex-Soviet Baltic republics – moves many Russians see as unfriendly and potentially threatening.

Ties have been further frayed by the U.S. missile defense plan and a dispute over the 1990 Conventional Forces in Europe treaty.