Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko also claims that they have no hostile intentions against Sweden and Finland.

According to the Russian channel NTTV The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Russia would arm itself militarily in the north if Sweden and Finland became members of NATO.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said Saturday morning that Russia has no hostile intentions against Sweden and Finland. Writes for Reuters, citing the Russian Interfax.

Grushko also says that the Russian response to Swedish and Finnish NATO membership will depend on the two countries’ NATO infrastructure.

On Wednesday, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced their support for NATO membership. After a brief period Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said That Russia would have to respond – militarily and in other ways – if Sweden and Finland became NATO members.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Finland’s NATO membership posed a threat to Russia.

Russian expert: It’s not real

Lars Peder Haga has a Ph.D. in Soviet history and has been researching Russian military power for the past eight years.

He believes that the threats from Russia are not real.

– It is impossible to say what this is for anything. Every time they announce that they are going to do something, they are happy to announce with horns, fanfares, and huge ambitions. But then it ends up being something smaller in the end.

Perhaps this is just an expression of dissatisfaction.

He asserts that Russia lost significant forces in the Ukraine war.

– How they will be developed then in the North, it will be difficult to see. They did not have many troops on the borders with Finland and Sweden before. How will they get promotion in the future in the world, just wait and see. They have a big reconstruction task to do after this war.

Will apply soon

The Swedish newspaper Expressen has previously written That NATO request could come as early as Monday. Finland is expected to apply for membership soon.

Sweden and Finland have both conducted security analyzes of possible NATO membership.

in Finland Defense Committee recommends NATO membership As the best choice for the country. Swedes think The uncertainty surrounding a Russian attack on Sweden will diminish If the country joined NATO.

Finland and Sweden said they will coordinate closely, because it is easier to stand together than separately If Russia is to respond forcefully To bring NATO closer to its borders.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store previously told VG that the government It is an advertisement for Sweden and Finland. Norway is ready to provide assistance to countries if necessary, between applications for NATO membership and membership.

The UK has entered into new cooperation agreements with both Sweden and Finland, which will also provide the two countries with military assistance in case they come under attack.

Correction: VG first quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on the statements in the case. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko was quoted as saying. The bug was fixed on May 14 at 09.29.