BBC News
Russia has said it will be forced to take “retaliatory steps” over its neighbour Finland’s move to join NATO. A foreign ministry statement said the move would seriously damage bilateral relations, as well as security and stability in northern Europe. Finland’s president and prime minister called for the country to apply for NATO membership “without delay,” noting that “Nato membership would strengthen Finland’s security.” It comes amid a surge in public support for NATO membership following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — an opinion poll put support for joining NATO at 76%, with 12% against, a big swing towards membership since before the invasion. Finland shares a 1,300-km border with Russia and until now has stayed out of NATO to avoid antagonising its eastern neighbour.
Russia’s statement described Finland’s move as “a radical change in the country’s foreign policy.” “Finland’s accession to NATO will cause serious damage to bilateral Russian-Finnish relations and the maintaining of stability and security in the Northern European region. Russia will be forced to take retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature, in order to neutralise the threats to its national security that arise from this,” it said. However, Moscow has not specified what steps it plans to take. Swedish President Niinisto responded to Russian concerns and blamed the move on Moscow’s invasion: “Joining NATO would not be against anyone. You caused this. Look in the mirror.” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said he expects the process of giving Sweden and Finland membership to happen “quite quickly.” Finland’s accession to NATO would more than double the length of Russia’s borders with the alliance.