Russia has stated it will be forced to take “retaliatory steps” over its neighbour Finland’s move to sign up with Nato.

A foreign ministry statement claimed the move would seriously damage reciprocal relationships, in addition to security and stability in north Europe.

Previously, Finland’s head of state and also PM asked for the nation to look for Nato subscription “immediately”.

It comes amidst a rise in public assistance for Nato membership adhering to Russia’s intrusion of Ukraine.

Finland shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) boundary with Russia. Until now, it has stayed out of Nato to stay clear of antagonising its eastern neighbor.

Finland will officially announce its choice on Sunday after it has actually been taken into consideration by parliament as well as various other elderly political numbers.

Sweden has claimed it will certainly reveal a comparable decision on the exact same day.

Nato Assistant General Jens Stoltenberg has stated he expects the process of providing Sweden as well as Finland membership to happen “fairly swiftly”.

The White Home said the US would back a Nato application from both nations if they apply.

  • Are Finland and also Sweden going from neutral to Nato?
  • What is Nato and could Finland and also Sweden join?
  • Is Nato’s Nordic development a hazard or boost to Europe?

The Russian declaration (in Russian) defined Finland’s relocation as “a radical change in the nation’s diplomacy”.

” Finland’s accession to Nato will certainly trigger serious damages to bilateral Russian-Finnish connections as well as the keeping of stability as well as protection in the Northern European region,” it said.

” Russia will certainly be required to take retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical as well as other nature, in order to neutralise the hazards to its national safety and security that occur from this.”

However, Moscow has actually not defined what steps it prepares to take.

Russia’s deputy UN agent Dmitry Polyansky said Sweden and Finland would certainly become possible targets for Russia if they end up being Nato participants, according to Russian information agency Ria.


Russian authorities were responding to a joint statement by Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and also Prime Minister Sanna Marin, which said both leaders expected a choice on Nato membership in the following few days.

” Nato subscription would strengthen Finland’s protection,” it stated. “As a participant of Nato, Finland would certainly enhance the whole support alliance. Finland needs to obtain Nato membership immediately.”

Speaking with reporters later on, Mr Niinisto reacted to Russian problems and also criticized the move on Moscow’s intrusion.

“Joining Nato would not protest anybody. You triggered this. Look in the mirror,” he stated.

A point of view poll recently put assistance in Finland for joining Nato at 76%, with 12% versus, a large swing towards membership because prior to the invasion.

Finland as well as the USSR were on opposing sides in World Battle 2, with the Finns famously repeling a Soviet invasion in 1939-40.

But Finland shed 10% of its area in the final peace arrangement and also stayed non-aligned throughout the Cold War.

Its inauguration to Nato would more than increase the length of Russia’s borders with the partnership. Sweden does not have a boundary with Russia.

A BBC graphic showing Nato expansion

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Last Updated: 13 May 2022