The Kremlin said on Thursday that neighboring Finland’s entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would “undoubtedly” pose a threat to Russia, after leadership in Helsinki backed a bid for membership in a Western military alliance.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: “The expansion of NATO and the approach of the alliance to our borders does not make the world and our continent more stable and secure.” he said, “Absolutely.”
On the other hand, European Council President Charles Michel urged Helsinki to join the alliance, seeing it as a “historic step” that would greatly enhance European security. He added on Twitter that the Finnish president and prime minister had “paved the way” for accession, noting that the move would send a “strong signal of deterrence” in light of Russia’s current military operation in Ukraine.
He also believed that “solidarity” between NATO and the European Union is currently at its best.
In turn, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that the process of Finland’s accession will be, in his words, “smooth and fast.”
And this move, if taken by Finland and later by Sweden, will pave the way for an alliance that draws Moscow’s ire at expansion into the European East.
It is noteworthy that Russia regards the issue of NATO expansion as a red line of its security, and many of its officials have repeatedly stressed that such a move will not go unnoticed, and that it will respond to it with the urgency of expanding the conflict into Europe.
These statements come after Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced this morning their support for their country’s accession to the Atlantic. According to AFP, in a joint statement they said “NATO membership will enhance the country’s security,” noting that a formal decision would be made public this coming Sunday.
