Helsinki and Stockholm must “understand the consequences of such a step for our bilateral relations and for the European security architecture as a whole,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Friday.
Also, membership of Sweden and Finland in NATO “probably will not contribute to strengthening (their) international reputation,” said the spokeswoman. The two countries’ non-aligned policies provide “a reliable level of security,” while membership in a military alliance “is unable to strengthen their national security.” Both countries would “automatically find themselves on the NATO front.”
Nuclear Weapons Threat
Former Russian President and current number two on the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, warned on Thursday that Russia would station nuclear weapons near the three Baltic states and Scandinavia if Finland or Sweden decide to join NATO.
change in security policy
Moscow’s military action in Ukraine has resulted in a dramatic reversal in public and political opinion on NATO membership in both Finland and Sweden. So far, the countries have worked closely with the defense alliance, but are not members.
Finland recently announced that it would decide on an application for NATO membership in the coming weeks. Sweden is also discussing accession.
