Putin: "No Problem with Finland and Sweden Joining NATO... Will Respond if Military Infrastructure Expands"

"Does Not Pose a Direct Threat"
"NATO Is a Tool of US Foreign Policy" Criticism

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his acceptance of Finland and Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), stating that it would not pose a significant threat to Russia. However, he warned that Russia would take countermeasures regarding the deployment of NATO weapons or military assets.

According to TASS news agency on the 16th (local time), President Putin, attending the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit held in Moscow that day, said, "The NATO membership of Finland and Sweden does not create a direct threat to Russia," adding, "Russia has no issues with these countries." He continued, "However, if NATO's military infrastructure expands into the territories of these countries, our response will naturally follow," warning, "The level of response will be considered based on the threats that arise."

This statement is interpreted as effectively accepting the NATO membership of Finland and Sweden. It is regarded as a significant lowering of tone compared to previous Russian government warnings that military threats such as nuclear weapon deployment near the border could be imposed if the two countries joined NATO.

President Putin criticized the United States more strongly than Finland and Sweden. Referring to the U.S., he said, "NATO is essentially being used as a tool of foreign policy by a single country," and criticized, "This entire situation is further worsening the already complex international security environment." He added, "NATO is increasingly intervening actively in international issues beyond its own geopolitical framework and the European-Atlantic region, controlling the international security situation, and trying to influence other regional situations," asserting, "This naturally requires additional attention from Russia."

Earlier that day, the Swedish government announced that it had officially decided to apply for NATO membership, following Finland's application the previous day. Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced the decision to apply for NATO membership in a statement, emphasizing, "The Swedish ambassador to NATO will soon notify NATO of our intention to join," and stressed, "Currently, the best option for Sweden and the Swedish people is to join NATO."

Meanwhile, the CSTO is a military and security cooperation organization formed in 2002 by six countries that were part of the former Soviet Union: Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.