The Kremlin said Sweden's entry into NATO would negatively affect Russia's security, warning that Moscow would take appropriate countermeasures.
"The negative consequences for Russia's security are obvious," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today about the possibility of Sweden joining NATO. He said Russia was considering retaliatory measures.
The warning came after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on July 10 approved the transfer of Sweden's NATO membership application to the country's parliament for ratification. Ankara had previously refused to approve Stockholm into the alliance, accusing Sweden of "harboring Kurdish terrorists".
According to Mr. Peskov, Türkiye's move is not a serious matter, because Ankara has obligations as a NATO member and Moscow "has no illusions" on this issue. Russia and Türkiye have differences but also common interests and Moscow wants to promote bilateral relations.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also warned on the same day that Russia was taking "appropriate and timely" measures to respond to the possibility of Sweden and Ukraine joining NATO, declaring that all of Moscow's legitimate interests "will be guaranteed." However, Mr. Lavrov did not give specifics.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in Moscow, Russia, in December 2022. Photo: Reuters
Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO in May 2022, ending decades of military non-alignment. Finland successfully joined on April 4, after receiving support from 30 member states, while Sweden faced obstacles from Turkey and Hungary.
Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said today that his country's approval of Sweden's membership in NATO is "only a technical matter". Budapest had previously indicated that it would follow Ankara on the issue.
NATO is holding a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12. The alliance is expected to discuss Ukraine's membership and temporary security guarantees for Kiev, in addition to its current military aid efforts.
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a NATO membership application in September 2022, asking the alliance to quickly admit Ukraine. However, NATO members remain divided over Ukraine’s request, with some countries concerned that the move could push the alliance closer to a conflict with Russia.
In a message posted on Telegram today, Mr. Zelensky said that "it would be ridiculous if Ukraine was not given a specific time frame for an invitation to join or membership in NATO." Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he expected the alliance to send "a clear, united and positive message about the roadmap for Ukraine's accession."
Location of NATO countries. Graphics: Tien Thanh
Nhu Tam (According to Reuters, AFP )
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