Putin Threatens to ‘Reply’ If Finland and Sweden Join NATO

Russian President Vladimir Putin said today there would be a “response” if Finland and Sweden join NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). “Expansion of military infrastructure to this region will certainly trigger our response,” Putin said, according to the Russian news agency Tass. Said. “Let’s analyze what will happen [a resposta] based on the threats that will be created for us.”

Sweden and Finland have already indicated their intention to join the military alliance, of which the US was the main leader, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Today, Russia’s war has entered its 82nd day.

But Putin said Russia “has no problem” with Finland and Sweden and will not pose a “direct threat”.

For the Russian president, NATO expansion is artificial, it goes beyond its geographical purpose. In Putin’s assessment, the military alliance may not have the best effect on other regions.

Contention

In Finland, the country’s prime minister, Sanna Marin, made a presentation to Parliament today on the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) membership report. “If parliament approves the results of the report, the government is equipped to take the necessary decisions to quickly start accession negotiations,” he said. said. A general meeting will be held today on the subject.

Russia viewed Finland’s possible entry into NATO as a threat as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukrainian territory. The two countries share a border that is approximately 1,300 kilometers long.

Admission to NATO is also being considered in Sweden, which is holding a debate in its parliament today on security policy negotiations. The country then decided to announce that it would formally apply to join NATO.

Russia is threatening

In his speech, the Finnish prime minister told the country’s parliament that “fundamental changes are occurring in our security environment” when addressing NATO membership. Marin said, “The claim that Russia is the target of external threats is unfounded. Russia is the only country that threatens the security of Europe and is openly waging a war of aggression.”

According to him, “every country has the right to make its own decisions about its foreign and security policy.” “No other actor can violate this right. Russia’s demands mean that Russia has the right to determine its own sphere of influence.”

As a member of the military alliance, Marin told lawmakers that “Finland will be part of NATO’s collective defense and accompanying security guarantees.” “If Finland is attacked, we will get help. Conversely, if another NATO country is attacked, we will help.”

Russia “will not tolerate”

In a statement distributed by the Russian Foreign Ministry, Deputy Minister Sergey Riabkov said that Finland and Sweden “should have no illusions that we will simply tolerate this”, referring to the countries’ possible accession to NATO.

In other words, the overall level of military tension will increase and there will be less predictability in this area. It’s a shame to sacrifice common sense to some fanciful idea of ​​what should be done in the current situation,” he added, adding that the move was “another serious mistake with far-reaching consequences”.