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BRUSSELS – Russia warned Finland and Sweden on Thursday that if they join NATO, Moscow will strengthen the Baltic Sea region, including with nuclear weapons.
The threat came a day after Finnish authorities suggested the country could seek to join the 30-member military alliance within weeks, as Sweden considered making such a move.
Finland is approaching NATO accession
Helsinki and Stockholm are officially non-military, but are reviewing their status in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, escalating warnings from Russia.
Dmitry Medvedev, an ally of Putin who serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said on Thursday that NATO enlargement would force Russia to strengthen its air, ground and naval forces to “balance” military capabilities in the region.
“If Sweden and Finland join NATO, the length of the alliance’s land borders with the Russian Federation will more than double. Of course, these borders will have to be strengthened, “he wrote in the Telegram.
“We can no longer talk about the status of the Baltic Sea without nuclear energy – the balance must be restored,” Medvedev said.
Putin’s war brings Finland and Sweden closer to joining NATO
His comments reflect Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who told British media last week that if the two Scandinavian countries joined NATO, Russia would be forced to “rebalance the situation”. He added: “We will have to make our western flank more sophisticated in terms of ensuring our security.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has used his opposition to NATO enlargement as a pretext for invading Ukraine. His war there could lead to a jump in the alliance from 30 to 32 members.
The addition of Finland and Sweden to NATO will redraw the security picture of Northern Europe, moving the alliance’s border right to the Finnish-Russian border, more than 800 miles long.
NATO’s basic principle is Article 5, an agreement according to which an armed attack on one member will be considered an attack on all, with an obligation of mutual protection. In both Finland and Sweden, this is becoming more and more attractive.
What is NATO and why is Ukraine not a member?
In both countries, Russia’s attack on neighboring Ukraine has led to a sharp shift in public sentiment towards NATO, with more people supporting membership.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Wednesday that her country was reviewing the decision, but could act quickly.
“We must be prepared for any action by Russia,” Marin told reporters. “I will not give any schedule when we will make our decisions, but I think it will happen quite quickly – within weeks, not months.”
Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats, who have traditionally opposed NATO membership, have also said they will reconsider their position in the coming months.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels last week that both countries meet NATO standards and will be welcomed by members if they wish to join.
“There are no other countries closer to NATO,” he said.
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