Shortly after Finland’s official and definitive accession to NATO was announced, Russia resumed its threats to Helsinki, declaring that it would strengthen its military potential on the Scandinavian border.
April 4 is the “historic” date, according to Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of the Atlantic Alliance, which “welcomes Finland as the 31st ally”. A response from Moscow came shortly after the announcement: Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told the Ria Novosti agency “In response to Finland’s entry into NATO, Russia will strengthen its defenses in the west and northwest of the country.” “Some of the measures – added Grushko – have already been announced. We will strengthen our potential in the western and northwest directions. If the forces and assets of other NATO members are deployed in Finland, we will take additional measures to ensure our security reliably”.
As a result, Grushko’s statements have been mild compared to other voices that have emerged in recent days. Like that of Russian parliamentarian Konstantin Dolgov: “Finland’s accession to NATO undermines Russia’s security and makes it a legitimate target for the Russian armed forces,” he told the newspaper Vzglyad.
Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
