Russia warns Sweden and Finland about NATO membership.
Russia has warned Finland and Sweden against joining NATO, arguing that the move would not bring stability to Europe.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that “the alliance remains a tool of confrontation.”
This comes after US defense officials said Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine was a “massive strategic mistake” likely to lead to NATO enlargement.
U.S. officials expect the Nordic neighbors to apply for membership in the alliance, potentially as early as June.
But Moscow has made it clear it opposes any possible NATO enlargement. “NATO is not an alliance that ensures peace and stability, and further enlargement would not bring additional security to the European continent,” Peskov said.
Peskov said last week that Russia would have to “rebalance the situation” with its measures in the event that Sweden and Finland join NATO.
Despite Russian threats, both countries have increased defense spending and suggested they want to join NATO. The leaders of the Finnish army announced today in Helsinki that they plan to spend an additional 14 million euros for the purchase of drones for military needs.
Swedish officials said last month that they would increase the military budget by another 317m euros this year.
