Russia would see Finland’s accession to NATO as a threat, according to a Kremlin spokesman, when the Finnish president and prime minister announced that they wanted the country to join NATO as soon as possible.
This was reported by the management services Dmitry Peskov said in a conference call with the media that Russia considered Finland ‘s expected application to be a threatening transfer.
"Absolutely. NATO enlargement will not make our continent more stable and secure," said Peskov according to Reuters.
He refused to specify Russia’s likely response.
"It all depends on how this NATO enlargement process progresses, the extent to which military infrastructure moves closer to our borders."
Russia’s foreign ministry described Thursday’s statement as a "a radical change in foreign policy" By Finnish leaders. In a statement issued on its website, the Ministry stated that Finland should take into account the effects of this decision.
"Joining NATO will seriously damage Russia’s bilateral relations, stability and security in Northern Europe." read the statement. "Russia is forced to take military technical and other countermeasures because of the threat to Russia’s national security."
NATO countries, for their part, have welcomed Finland’s decision with the Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas be the first to tweet their reply.
“History is made by our northern neighbors,” Kallas said. "You can count on our full support. We support the fast accession process. On our part, we will take the necessary measures quickly."
Michael Roth, chairman of the German Parliament’s foreign policy committee, told Yle that Finland’s accession to NATO would increase security in Finland and Europe.
"From a historical perspective, it is ironic that Putin, who tried to weaken NATO, made it stronger and more united than ever." said Roth.
Source: The Nordic Page