Russia warned Sweden and Finland on Monday that their income in the NATO will not strengthen its security and it will be a “serious mistake” that will have consequences.
“It is completely obvious to us that as a result of this decision, the security of Sweden and Finland will not be strengthened,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riabkov told Russian agencies.
He explained that with the decision of these two Scandinavian countries “the general level of military tension will increase and the situation in this area will be less predictable.”
“It is a new serious mistake with far-reaching consequences,” Riabkov emphasized, adding that common sense is sacrificed “for ghost visions of what to do in the current situation.”
He added that Russia’s response after NATO’s overall configuration changes will depend on the concrete steps involved in Sweden’s and Finland’s accession to the Atlantic Alliance.
Sweden and Finland “should not be under any illusion that we will simply resign ourselves to it,” Riabkov stressed.
This Sunday, the Finnish government officially confirmed that it will apply to join NATO, ending almost eight decades of non-alignment.
The Swedish government is also expected to officially announce today, after a debate in Parliament, its decision to apply for NATO membership.