Finland and Sweden countered Russian warnings of retaliation should the Nordic nations join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Military and political consequences may follow if the two countries join the pact, Sergei Belyaev, director of the Second European Department of Russia’s foreign ministry, told the state-owned news agency Interfax. Their non-participation in NATO is “an important factor in ensuring security and stability in northern Europe,” he said.
Putin has cited NATO’s expansion east as a reason for his invasion last month, saying it represents a security threat to Russia. Ukraine has said it wants to join the alliance, whose members are treaty-bound to come to each other’s defense.
