Moscow responded on Thursday in a joint statement by the president and prime minister on Finland’s accession to NATO “without delay”, promising “retaliation” and defending that this possibility could lead to “direct and open”. Between Russia and the Atlantic Alliance, which in turn could escalate into a nuclear war.
In a statement quoted by the Russian news agency RIA Novost, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation describes Finland’s accession to NATO as a “radical change” in its policy of neutrality, which in turn “would force Russia to retaliate.” . ., both of a technical-military and other nature, in order to prevent threats to their national security ‘.
“Finland’s accession to NATO will cause serious damage to Russia’s bilateral relations with Finland and to the maintenance of stability and security in the Northern European region,” the ministry warned.
Similarly, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov argued that “NATO’s next enlargement will not make ‘the European continent’ more stable or secure,” which is why he explained that Moscow would “take” measures to rebalance and secure Russia if allies such as Sweden or Finland, which borders more than 1,300 kilometers with the Russian Federation.
Russia’s former president and prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, also responded to NATO’s enlargement scenario in a Telegram this Thursday.
Without directly referring to the case of Finland – whose communication from the country’s leaders ends with the words that they “hope that the national steps still needed to formalize the candidacy” will be taken soon in the coming days “- the current Russian Security Council vice president and Russia “, which could have even more serious consequences.
“Such a conflict threatens to turn into a complete nuclear war. It would be a catastrophic scenario for everyone,” Medvedev said, accusing the West of “Russophobia” and even advising, “Don’t lie to yourself and others. Just think of the possible consequences of your actions.”
This is neither the first nor the second time a former head of state has referred to nuclear weapons in commenting on the Western response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – which Moscow describes as a “special soldier” – and possible enlargement. About NATO.
Medvedev explained in mid-April that if Finland or Sweden decided to join the alliance, they could no longer “talk about the Baltics without nuclear weapons.” “The balance needs to be restored,” he argued at the time.