Both Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership last year after Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, fundamentally shaking the security situation in Europe.
Sweden's application is still pending approval, while Finland formally joined the defense alliance as a full member last spring. Consequently, the country transitioned from a neutral state to a "hostile actor," according to the Putin regime, which is now issuing a harsh warning against Sweden's neighboring country.
Living in Peace and Quiet
According to Russia, Finland will not only taste the consequences of joining NATO. The country will also be first in line to suffer if tensions between Russia and the Western world escalate further, warns Russian diplomat Mikhail Ulyanov, as reported by Reuters.
"They have lived in peace and suddenly found themselves between Russia and NATO as a member of that alliance," Ulyanov stated.
"Will Suffer First"
Mikhail Ulyanov, serving as the permanent representative of Russia to international organizations in Vienna, adds:
"But since they are our neighbors, if God forbid there is any escalation, they will be the first to suffer."
"A Big Mistake"
Russia has repeatedly issued warnings against Finland recently, not only due to NATO membership. The fact that Finland closed its eastern border in November also provoked the Putin regime.
"Russia has never threatened Finland in modern history. We had no reason for confrontation," said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, according to the Russian state news agency Tass.
"Now they have chosen this path. From our point of view, this is a big mistake."
Threatening Russian Security
The tone intensified further after Finland announced a few days before Christmas that it was initiating a new defense agreement with the USA, granting the country access to 15 bases on Nordic soil.
"One cannot send a clearer signal than this. We are now defending Finland together if someone attacks us," said Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen at a press conference.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, was not as pleased.
"Moscow will not leave the buildup of NATO's military potential at our border unanswered, which threatens the security of the Russian Federation, and will take necessary measures to counter the aggressive decisions of Finland and its NATO allies," she stated, as reported by Reuters.
