Moscow warns Finland and Sweden to join NATO under rising tensions
Moscow has warned Finland and Sweden to join NATO in the midst of growing tensions between Russia and the Western military alliance. Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, accused the alliance of trying to drag the two countries into orbit, the Times reports.
“It is quite clear that Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO would have serious military and political consequences that would require an adequate response from Russia.” she said, without specifying what response Russia could take.
Finland and Sweden both pursued a policy of neutrality throughout the Cold War, and neither country has ever formally applied to join NATO. However, Sweden, which increased its defense budget after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, introduced legislation last year that would allow it to join NATO in the future if it decided it was in its interest. Swedish troops have held joint military exercises with NATO.
Finland has also said that it can apply for NATO membership in the future.
Ann Linde, Sweden’s foreign minister, said that Russia’s demands would reduce the opportunities for countries to make independent decisions.
“We must have a rules-based world order, where we have international law and each country has the right to make its own security policy choices.” She said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited the two countries in October and praised their willingness to work with the Alliance in the middle of Russia “aggressive attitude”.
PICTURE: Av ДИП МИД РФ (photo by Nikita Kochuk) – http://www.mid.ru/ru/press_service/spokesman/briefings/-/asset_publisher/D2wHaWMCU6Od/content/id/6BY-2014, 4, 2014 2014 https: //commons.wikimedia.org / …
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