Former Kremlin chief Dmitry Medvedev believes that joining NATO by Sweden and Finland will trigger a military retaliation from Russia.
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- Sweden and Finland want to join NATO.
- But according to Medvedev, the former head of the Kremlin, it could have consequences.
If NATO bases are established and weapons are deployed in the countries’ territory, “our response steps will be symmetrical,” the deputy head of the Russian Security Council said after a meeting on the security situation along the border with Finland. to the interfax agency.
Following the Russian attack on Ukraine, Sweden and Finland cited concerns about their own security as a reason for their desire to join NATO.
NATO approves membership applications
Before that they were neutral. At its summit in Madrid in late June, NATO approved membership applications. Since then, ratification by individual member states has continued.
From Medvedev’s point of view, the two countries’ decision to join NATO worsens the security situation in the Baltic Sea region, “as the Baltic Sea is now becoming a de facto NATO-dominated sea.” He accused both states of being “across the sea and influenced by Brussels”. The relations with the countries will now have to be reviewed by the Russian side.
To the north, Russia shares a border of more than 1,300 kilometers with Finland. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin had already announced in late June that joining NATO would result in a military counteroffensive from his country.
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