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Russia will strengthen its military presence on its western border if Nato troops are deployed to Finland, the deputy foreign minister has said.
Alexander Grushko’s comments came after Nato confirmed that the Nordic country would officially become a member of the military alliance on Tuesday.
“We will strengthen our military potential in the western and northwestern direction, “Mr Grushko told RIA. In the event that the forces and resources of other NATO members are deployed in Finland, we will take additional steps to reliably ensure Russia’s military security.”
Earlier the Kremlin saiid it would move its tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus near the country’s border with Nato allies in a move that will further escalate tensions between the Kremlin and the West.
Boris Gryzlov, Russia’s ambassador to Belarus, announced the move on Sunday, saying it formed part of broader plans to “ensure security”. A storage facility would be completed by 1 July, he added, without saying exactly where it would be.
