On Thursday, the United Kingdom said that it would support Sweden and Finland’s decision to join NATO, despite Russia’s threats against joining the two countries’ military alliance.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tweeted: “Russia’s threats to the Nordic and Baltic states are nothing new and only strengthen our unity.” “Sweden and Finland are free to choose their future without interference – the UK will support whatever decision it takes.”
In its second month, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked urgent debate in Sweden and Finland over whether the countries should join NATO.
Russian Security Council vice-president Dmitry Medvedev warned in a post on Thursday that if the two European countries join NATO, “it is no longer possible to talk about any nuclear-free status of the Baltic.
Russia would need to “seriously strengthen the grouping of land forces and air defence, deploy significant naval forces in the waters of the Gulf of Finland,” Medvedev said.
Russia has similarly opposed Ukraine joining the military alliance. GOP lawmakers visit UkraineHealth Care — Pfizer says it will apply soon for kids’ booster shot
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has previously sought Ukraine to join NATO, gave the military alliance harsh marks in an interview last weekend.
“When you’re working in diplomacy, there are no results. All of this is very bureaucratic,” Zelensky said.
“That’s why the way I am talking to them is absolutely justified. I don’t have any more lives to give. I don’t have any more emotions. I’m no longer interested in their diplomacy that leads to the destruction of my country,” the president noted.
