STOCKHOLM (BLOOMBERG) - Finland and Sweden countered Russian warnings of retaliation should the Nordic nations join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato).

Military and political consequences may follow if the two countries join the pact, Mr Sergei Belyaev, director of the Second European Department of Russia's foreign ministry, told the state-owned news agency Interfax.

Their non-participation in Nato is "an important factor in ensuring security and stability in northern Europe", he said.

Mr Putin has cited Nato's expansion east as a reason for his invasion of Ukraine last month, saying it represents a security threat to Russia.

Ukraine has said it wants to join the alliance, whose members are treaty-bound to come to each other's defence.

"We reject that kind of statement. Swedish security policy is determined by Sweden," said Ms Ann Linde, Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs.

"Russia has nothing to do with our independent decisions."

Finland "as a sovereign state makes its own security policy decisions based on our own interest", said Ms Marja Liivala, director-general of the Department for Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

"It's very important for Finland that the Nato Open Door policy remains."

Recent opinion polls show an increasing number of Swedes and Finns are in favour of joining the Nato defence bloc since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson cooled speculation about any near-term bid to join Nato, saying it could lead to further tension in Europe.

Recent opinion polls show an increasing number of Swedes and Finns are in favour of joining the Nato defence bloc since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson cooled speculation about any near-term bid to join Nato, saying it could lead to further tension in Europe.

Thisis2raw:
Russia needs to calm down, before they make them self enemy of the world

chameleon98:
STOCKHOLM (BLOOMBERG) - Finland and Sweden countered Russian warnings of retaliation should the Nordic nations join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato).

Military and political consequences may follow if the two countries join the pact, Mr Sergei Belyaev, director of the Second European Department of Russia's foreign ministry, told the state-owned news agency Interfax.

Their non-participation in Nato is "an important factor in ensuring security and stability in northern Europe", he said.

Mr Putin has cited Nato's expansion east as a reason for his invasion of Ukraine last month, saying it represents a security threat to Russia.

Ukraine has said it wants to join the alliance, whose members are treaty-bound to come to each other's defence.

"We reject that kind of statement. Swedish security policy is determined by Sweden," said Ms Ann Linde, Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs.

"Russia has nothing to do with our independent decisions."

Finland "as a sovereign state makes its own security policy decisions based on our own interest", said Ms Marja Liivala, director-general of the Department for Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

"It's very important for Finland that the Nato Open Door policy remains."

Recent opinion polls show an increasing number of Swedes and Finns are in favour of joining the Nato defence bloc since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson cooled speculation about any near-term bid to join Nato, saying it could lead to further tension in Europe.

Recent opinion polls show an increasing number of Swedes and Finns are in favour of joining the Nato defence bloc since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson cooled speculation about any near-term bid to join Nato, saying it could lead to further tension in Europe.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-12/russian-official-warns-finland-sweden-against-joining-nato

seanwilliam:
Beginning of the end of Russia

Ukraine claimed on Sunday that in the first three days of battle, it killed 4,300 Russian forces, destroyed 27 airplanes, 26 helicopters, 146 tanks, 706 armored vehicles, and more.

As of Saturday, Ukraine’s health minister also claimed that 198 Ukrainians were killed, including three children, by invading Russian forces, and another 1,000 people were wounded.

helinues:
How many countries can Russia fight at once?