Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Finland and Sweden will become Russia’s new enemies if the two countries join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO, potentially triggering a new nuclear threat from Russia.
“The change will give Moscow a more officially registered opponent,” wrote Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev on Telegram, as quoted by CNBC InternationalThursday (14/4/2022).
Medvedev also explicitly reiterated the nuclear threat by saying that there would be no more talk of a “nuclear-free” Baltic. “There is no more talk of a nuclear-free status for the Baltics, the balance must be restored,” said Medvedev, who was Russia’s president from 2008 to 2012.
However, until now, Russia has not planned to do so. But he did not rule out the possibility if his country continued to be pressed.
Medvedev also claimed that NATO plans to accept the two Nordic countries, which until now have partnered with a 30-member military alliance but remain neutral, with “minimal bureaucratic procedures.”
“Russia’s response must be taken with no emotion, with a cool head,” he added.
The comments came a day after the leaders of Finland and Sweden said their decision on NATO’s application for membership would come in a matter of weeks. They say their security assessment has changed dramatically after Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Russia previously sent tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine on February 24 from the Kremlin and Belarus regions in a “special military operation” designed to demilitarize and “denazify” its neighbour.
Ukraine has stepped up fierce resistance and Western countries have imposed sweeping sanctions designed to force Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
(tfa/luc)
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