Russia warned Sweden and Finland through bilateral diplomatic channels about the consequences of joining NATO.
This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, whose words are quoted by the BBC.
“We have made all our warnings, both publicly and through bilateral channels,” Zakharova told Rossiya-24 TV channel.
“They know about it, they have nothing to be surprised, they are informed about everything that this will lead to.”
The Finnish parliament will open a debate today on whether the country should seek NATO membership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked growing political and public support for joining the military alliance.
Despite Russia’s warning about stationing nuclear weapons in the Baltic states if Finland and neighboring Sweden join NATO, the Finnish prime minister said his country would now quickly decide whether to apply for membership.
Sweden is also debating whether to apply for membership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.