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Dmitry Medvedev
Photo: IMAGO/Ekaterina Shtukina / IMAGO/SNA
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warns NATO against Sweden and Finland joining the military alliance.
The two countries are now “officially opponents of Russia”.
In this case, Russia must strengthen its defense policy, according to the current Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council.
"There can be no more talks about a nuclear-weapon-free Baltic," said Medvedev.
The relationship of the equilibria would have to be established.
To date, Russia has not taken such measures and has no plans to do so.
The Finnish government, for example, expects major Russian attempts to influence the country in the event of an application for NATO membership, it said on Wednesday.
Should Finland apply for NATO membership, the country would have to prepare for extensive attempts to exert influence and for risks that are difficult to predict, according to a government security policy analysis.
It was presented by Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen and Interior Minister Krista Mikkonen in Helsinki on Wednesday.
Risks also included rising tensions along the 1,300-kilometer border between the two countries.
The analysis deals with the advantages and disadvantages of a possible Finnish NATO membership.
The parliament in Helsinki is to deal with the report in the coming week.
Russia has repeatedly warned Finland and Sweden against joining NATO.
According to the comprehensive analysis, the most significant effect of a possible NATO membership would be that Finland would slip under the collective defense enshrined in NATO Article 5.
At the same time, possible accession would significantly expand NATO territory and double the alliance's land border with Russia.
The alliance would also move closer to important Russian areas such as the Kola Peninsula and the metropolis of St. Petersburg.
One question in the accession talks would be the possible NATO military presence in the country, it said.
Membership would not oblige Finland to accept the deployment of nuclear weapons, permanent bases or troops.
til/dpa/Reuters
