Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko also claims that they have no hostile intentions against Sweden and Finland.
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According to the Russian channel NTV The country’s foreign ministry says that Russia will arm itself militarily in the north, if Sweden and Finland become NATO members.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Saturday morning that Russia had no hostile intentions against Sweden and Finland. It writes the news agency Reuters, which quotes Russian Interfax.
Grushko also says that a Russian response to Swedish and Finnish NATO membership will depend on NATO’s infrastructure in the countries.
On Wednesday, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced their support for NATO membership. Shortly after said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Russia will have to retaliate – both militarily and in other ways – if Sweden and Finland become members of NATO.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Finnish NATO membership was a threat to Russia.
Russia expert: Little real
Lars Peder Haga has a doctorate in Soviet history and has been researching Russian military power for the past eight years.
He thinks the threats from Russia are not very real.
– It is impossible to say what this is for anything. Every time they announce that they are going to do something, they are happy to announce with trumpets, fanfare corps and huge ambitions. But then it ends up with something smaller in the end.
– This is probably just an expression to show dissatisfaction.
He stresses that Russia has lost large forces in the Ukraine war.
– How they will then upgrade in the north, will be difficult to see. They do not have many forces on the border with Finland and Sweden before. How in the world are they going to get an upgrade in the future, you almost just have to wait and see. They have a big reconstruction job to do after this war.
–Will apply soon
The Swedish newspaper Expressen has previously written that a NATO application can come as early as Monday. Finland is expected to apply for membership soon.
Both Sweden and Finland have carried out security analyzes of a possible NATO membership.
I Finland The Defense Committee recommends NATO membership as the best option for the country. The Swedes think The uncertainty surrounding a Russian attack on Sweden will diminish if the country joins NATO.
Finland and Sweden have said they will coordinate closely, because it is easier to stand together than separately if Russia were to react strongly towards getting NATO even closer to its borders.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has previously told VG that the government prepares a declaration for Sweden and Finland. Norway is willing to come to the aid of the countries if necessary, between NATO applications and membership.
The United Kingdom has entered into new co-operation agreements with both Sweden and Finland, which will also provide the countries with military aid if they are attacked.
CORRECTION: VG first quoted Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on the statements in the case. It was Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko who was to be quoted. The error was corrected on 14 May at 09.29.
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