Finland And Sweden

Russia threatens Finland and Sweden, says Zakharova, “will turn into an arena of confrontation between Russia and NATO”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Finland and Sweden, if they join NATO, will turn into an arena of confrontation between the alliance and Russia.

In an interview with the Spanish newspaper ABC, Zakharova explained that “if Finland and Sweden join the alliance, they will turn into an arena of confrontation between the North Atlantic bloc and Russia, with all the ensuing consequences, including (loss) of good-neighborly relations that have been tested over the years.” Time,” she asked, “Is this what the people of Sweden and Finland want?”

The newspaper did not publish the interview, although it was at their request.

Finland and Sweden began talking about the possibility of abandoning their long-standing neutrality and joining NATO against the backdrop of the Russian military operation in Ukraine. NATO President Jens Stoltenberg noted that NATO would be happy to see Finland and Sweden in its ranks and would allow them to join quickly.

The Social Democrats in power in Sweden could agree on a position in the debate on NATO membership as early as next Sunday. The leadership of Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson’s party has been called to a special session on May 15, which will deal, among other things, with the NATO question.

According to Secretary General Tobias Baudin, nothing has been decided yet. Difficult and complicated issues had to be discussed. Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there are intense discussions in Sweden and in neighboring Finland about a possible entry into the military alliance.