Amid the brutal ongoing war in Eastern Europe, the Kremlin has warned that Ukraine’s potential membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would lead to a territorial dispute between Russia and the block. “Unlike Ukraine, Finland and Sweden have no territorial disputes with Russia,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to Sputnik.. His statement comes after the two Scandinavian countries officially announced their decision to join the intergovernmental military alliance. Speaking about Finland’s and Sweden’s decisions to join NATO, the Kremlin spokesman said “Russia will follow the process closely.”

Peskov warned that this development requires a full examination of the potential ramifications. According to him, adding Finland and Sweden to the alliance will not improve the continent’s security situation. “We will follow developments closely and take note of statements. There have been statements from Sweden that it will not allow any foreign military bases or weapon systems on its territory, even if it joins the alliance,” Peskov added. . Meanwhile, the ruling Swedish Democratic Party (SDP) has said it will resist the deployment of nuclear weapons and NATO military bases on Swedish soil if the country joins the alliance.

Russia warns of military-technical measures if Finland and Sweden join NATO

Notably, Russia has often warned Finland and Sweden that NATO membership will have consequences and that Moscow will respond with military-technical measures. However, the Kremlin has not specified what this might entail, but NATO military bases deployed closer to the country’s borders are seen as a threat to national security by Russia. Meanwhile, Russia’s deputy foreign minister warned that Scandinavian countries deciding to join the military alliance “would be a mistake with far-reaching implications”.

NATO chief urges member states to continue supplying military supplies to Ukraine

It should be mentioned here that Ukraine continues to put up fierce resistance to Russian attacks as the war entered its 82nd day on Monday, May 16. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg asserted that Ukraine can defeat Russia in the ongoing war and also urged the alliance to continue delivering military supplies to Kyiv. He said that Ukraine can win this battle and that it must continue to increase and extend its aid to Ukraine.

Image: AP