Putin Says "No Problem" with Finland and Sweden Joining NATO... Implies Acceptance (Comprehensive)

"Response to NATO Military Asset Deployment"
Significant Power Loss Situation... Restraint on Further Provocations

Russian President Vladimir Putin entered the hall of the Moscow Kremlin, where the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit was held on the 16th (local time), along with the Prime Minister of Armenia, the President of Belarus, the President of Kyrgyzstan, the President of Kazakhstan, and the President of Tajikistan. Moscow (Russia) = Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his willingness to tolerate Finland and Sweden's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), stating that it would not pose a significant threat to Russia. However, he warned that there would be countermeasures if NATO were to deploy military assets. This is seen as an attempt to refrain from further provocations amid a stalemate and heavy losses on the Ukrainian front.

According to TASS on the 16th (local time), President Putin, attending the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit of former Soviet states held in Moscow, said, "The NATO membership of Finland and Sweden does not pose 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 reviewed based on the threats posed."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

This statement is analyzed as effectively accepting Finland and Sweden's NATO membership. This marks a significant decrease in the level of threat compared to earlier when Russia raised the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in response to their NATO accession. On the 4th, the Russian government conducted a simulated nuclear attack drill in Kaliningrad, an exclave bordering the Baltic Sea near Finland and Sweden, to militarily pressure the two countries.

The Washington Post (WP), citing experts, reported, "Russia has already lost many troops and equipment in Ukraine, and the forces previously stationed on the Finnish border have already been deployed to the Ukrainian front," adding, "It is difficult for Russia to militarily threaten Finland or Sweden."

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