Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Russia again warned that there would be consequences for Sweden and Finland if they were ‘reckless’ to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO.
To Russia-24as quoted BBCWednesday (20/4/2022), Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said she had issued all warnings, both publicly and through bilateral channels.
“They (Sweden and Finland) know about it. They need not be surprised, they are told about everything, what will happen,” he stressed.
Russia also briefly touched on nuclear development in the Baltic with Finland and Sweden’s plans to join NATO.
However, Finland’s prime minister said his country would now decide quickly whether to apply for membership or not. The Finnish parliament will also open a debate on whether or not the Scandinavian country should join NATO.
Similarly, Sweden is also discussing plans to join NATO and it is possible that it will be realized in the near future.
It should be noted that Russia’s attack on Ukraine has sparked concerns in European countries. This encourages countries that have not joined any defense pact to seek ‘protection’ in order to anticipate undesirable things related to national defense.
Earlier, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said if Sweden and Finland joined NATO then their countries would have to strengthen their land, navy and air forces. He also said there was no longer 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 served as Russia’s president from 2008 to 2012, as quoted by Reuters. Reuters.
(luc/luc)
–
