Finland and Sweden will become “legitimate targets” of Russia’s “retaliation” once they join NATO, Russia’s ambassador in Stockholm warned on Tuesday, fueling the rhetoric of threats from Moscow.
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“After the accession of Finland and Sweden, the total length of the borders between Russia and NATO will almost double,” argues Ambassador Viktor Tatarintsev in a text published on the website of the Russian mission in Sweden.
“If anyone still has the impression that this will somehow improve the security of Europe, rest assured that the new members of the enemy bloc will become a legitimate target for Russian retaliatory measures, including those of a military nature,” the diplomat warns against long charges joining the alliance.
The warning comes as Moscow has emerged in recent months to shelve threats against the two Nordic capitals since their historic decision last May to apply to join the Atlantic Alliance.
The candidatures, which span decades of neutrality and then military alliances, are a direct result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Finland, a country bordering Russia, is just awaiting ratification by Turkey, promised by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to join NATO.
As for Sweden, its candidacy has become a diplomatic crossroads and is currently facing a veto by Ankara and a delay in its ratification by Hungary.
However, Stockholm still hopes to join before the next NATO summit in Vilnius in July.
Public opinion pivoted dramatically in favor of NATO following the invasion of Ukraine, topping support of 80% in Finland and nearly two-thirds in Sweden, according to polls.
But for the Russian ambassador in Stockholm, who was born in Kherson in what is now Ukraine, Sweden is taking “a step into the abyss” by joining NATO.
Among other things, he regrets a “hasty” decision without a national referendum and points to the risk that the NATO command “has decided to fully engage in the conflict”.
“In this case, the Swedes will undoubtedly be implicated and sent to their deaths for the interests of others,” writes Tatarintsev.