A TOP Russian foreign ministry official threatened sweden and Finland with 'military and political consequences' if either tried to join NATO, reports Anchorage's Artic Today.
Spokesperson Maria Zakharova made the comments in a press conference on the second day of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
'Finland and Sweden should not base their security on damaging the security of other countries and their accession to NATO can have detrimental consequences and face some military and political consequences,' she said.
The remarks spread quickly after being pointed out in a viral tweet, which was quickly reported by several media outlets. The Russian Foreign Ministry subsequently reiterated the threat in a tweet of its own.
While five of the eight Arctic nations - the US, Canada, Iceland, Greenland (through Denmark) and Norway - are NATO members, Sweden and Finland have so far remained outside the alliance.
Finland shares a lengthy border with Russia, including in the Arctic. While Russia and Norway - which is a NATO member - share a border in the Arctic, if Finland were to join the alliance, it would mean a much longer Russia/NATO border in the High North.
As recently as last month, Finland Prime Minister Sanna Marin said it was unlikely the country would join during her tenure.
But both countries have increased their cooperation and interoperability with neighbouring Norway, and participated in Arctic military exercises alongside other NATO members.
Both countries have also offered aid to Ukraine and leaders from the two nations participated in a recent virtual NATO summit.
SeaNews Turkey
Spokesperson Maria Zakharova made the comments in a press conference on the second day of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
'Finland and Sweden should not base their security on damaging the security of other countries and their accession to NATO can have detrimental consequences and face some military and political consequences,' she said.
The remarks spread quickly after being pointed out in a viral tweet, which was quickly reported by several media outlets. The Russian Foreign Ministry subsequently reiterated the threat in a tweet of its own.
While five of the eight Arctic nations - the US, Canada, Iceland, Greenland (through Denmark) and Norway - are NATO members, Sweden and Finland have so far remained outside the alliance.
Finland shares a lengthy border with Russia, including in the Arctic. While Russia and Norway - which is a NATO member - share a border in the Arctic, if Finland were to join the alliance, it would mean a much longer Russia/NATO border in the High North.
As recently as last month, Finland Prime Minister Sanna Marin said it was unlikely the country would join during her tenure.
But both countries have increased their cooperation and interoperability with neighbouring Norway, and participated in Arctic military exercises alongside other NATO members.
Both countries have also offered aid to Ukraine and leaders from the two nations participated in a recent virtual NATO summit.
SeaNews Turkey