Putin: Finland and Sweden joining NATO will not pose a threat, but Russia will respond
Putin: Finland and Sweden joining NATO will not pose a threat, but Russia will respond https://whatchinareads.com/article/?uid=a88adca8d55b11ecbee1d79999c4055a
2022-05-16: [Article Link]
Russian President Putin has stated that there are no problems between Russia and Finland and Sweden and that their membership in NATO would not pose a threat, but that the Russian side would respond.
On May 16, Putin said at the summit of the leaders of the CSTO member States: “As for the expansion (NATO — Apostille) to include new members from Finland and Sweden. I would like to inform you that there are no problems between Russia and these two countries, and that, in this sense, expansion through the participation of these countries will not pose a direct threat to Russia, but the extension of military infrastructure to these countries will be a response. The response will depend on an assessment of the threat posed to us.”
In the context of the events in Ukraine, it was reported that Finland and Sweden had indicated their intention to submit applications for membership in NATO. NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg stated that NATO would be pleased to see Finland and Sweden joining itself and would provide them with an opportunity for rapid accession.
Russia has repeatedly stated that NATO is aimed at confrontation. Russia’s Presidential Press Secretary, Peskov, has stated that further NATO expansion will not bring more security to Europe, and that NATO is aggressive.