Russia warns of 'military-technical' response as NATO promises 'smooth' entry to Finland

Brussels: NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday welcomed a decision by Finland’s leaders to back joining the alliance, and said the eventual membership process would be “smooth and swift”. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin expressed support for NATO membership – in defiance of warnings from Moscow  – and a formal statement on joining is expected on Sunday. “This is a sovereign decision by Finland, which NATO fully respects,” Stoltenberg said. “Should Finland decide to apply, they would be warmly welcomed into NATO, and the accession process would be smooth and swift.” Finland and Sweden have taken steps toward joining the alliance since western powers began reviewing their security structures in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia warns Finland against joining NATO The Kremlin denounced the idea that Finland, its neighbour, would join NATO. Russia warned Thursday it would have to take “military-technical” steps in response to neighbouring Finland joining NATO, after leaders in Helsinki backed entering the US-led alliance. “The expansion of NATO and the approach of the alliance to our borders does not make the world and our continent more stable and secure,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. When asked whether Finland’s membership would be a threat, Peskov answered: “definitely”. “Everything will depend on how this process takes place, how far the military infrastructure will move towards our borders,” he said. Russia’s foreign ministry said Moscow would be “forced to take reciprocal steps, military-technical and other, to address the resulting threats to its national security”. Also read:  Explained: NATO’s history and why Russia is irked by it Helsinki insists its decision is not a threat to anyone. But Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told the European Parliament that “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has altered the European and Finnish security environment” and his country joining “would further strengthen NATO as a future ally”. Stoltenberg stressed it was Finland’s decision to make, and not a NATO power grab. “I agree with President Niinisto and Prime Minister Marin that NATO membership would strengthen both NATO and Finland’s security,” he said. “Finnish membership would demonstrate that NATO’s door is open, and that Finland decides its own future.” Separately, European Council chief Charles Michel welcomed EU member Finland’s leaders “paving the way” for their country to join NATO. He said the EU and NATO “have never been closer” and that Finland joining the alliance would be a “historic step, once taken, that will greatly contribute to European security. “With Russia waging war in Ukraine, it’s a powerful signal of deterrence,” he tweeted. With inputs from AFP Read all the Latest News , Trending News ,  Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.