When joining NATO: Russia threatens Sweden and Finland with nuclear weapons

Created: 04/17/2022, 04:48 am

By: Alina Schroeder

The two Scandinavian countries Finland and Sweden could soon join NATO.

Russia is threatening to use nuclear weapons, among other things.

Moscow – Finland and Sweden are considering joining NATO amid the Ukraine war*.

According to a survey, Finnish and Swedish citizens have felt an immediate threat since Russia invaded Ukraine.

They are therefore demanding that they join the defense alliance for protection.

This is reported, among other things, by the ARD.

NATO itself has not yet considered the accession of the two Scandinavian countries.

This only happens once an official application has been received.

However, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently emphasized that Sweden and Finland are welcome in the alliance.

However, other sounds come from Russia*.

Possible NATO accession of Finland and Sweden - Russia announces "consequences".

If Finland and Sweden* actually join NATO, Russia has again warned of the “consequences”.

Finally, Helsinki and Stockholm would have to "understand the consequences of such a step for our bilateral relations and for the European security architecture as a whole," said Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry.

In addition, according to Zakharova, NATO membership of the two countries "probably will not contribute to strengthening" their international reputation.

Finland and Sweden's non-aligned policies currently offer "a reliable level of security".

However, membership in the military alliance "is not in a position to strengthen their national security." On the contrary, both countries would "automatically find themselves on the NATO front," said Zakharova.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has threatened Finland and Sweden with nuclear weapons if they join NATO.

(Archive image) © Yekaterina Shtukina/Imago Images

If NATO joins: Russia threatens Finland and Sweden with nuclear weapons

However, Russia also announced that it would react directly after accession: the former Russian president and current number two on the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, warned on Thursday (April 14, 2022) against stationing nuclear weapons near the three Baltic states.

"In this case, there can no longer be any talk of a nuclear-weapon-free status for the Baltic States," Medvedev wrote on his Telegram news channel.

The politician specifically threatened the stationing of so-called "Iskander" missiles, hypersonic weapons and warships with nuclear weapons - for the Finns and Swedes, for example, within range "of their own house".

If Sweden and Finland decide to join NATO despite everything, it means that "Russia will have more officially registered opponents," said Medvedev.

(as/dpa)