Russia warns that joining NATO will make Sweden a target

Russia warns that joining NATO will make Sweden and Finland ‘legitimate targets’ for ‘retaliatory military measures’

• The Swedish foreign ministry said the Russian ambassador would be summoned
•  Viktor Tatarintsev said both Sweden and Finland would be ‘legitimate targets’

Sweden has summoned the Russian ambassador to Stockholm after he said the country and neighbouring Finland would become ‘legitimate targets’ after joining NATO. 

Russia’s ambassador to Stockholm, Viktor Tatarintsev, in a statement on the embassy’s website said the two Nordic countries would become ‘legitimate targets’ of ‘retaliatory measures,’ including ‘military ones,’ after joining the international military alliance.

A Swedish foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed that the ambassador would be summoned.

Sweden and Finland both sought NATO membership shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. The two countries are hoping to complete the process this year.

The latest threat against the two Nordic countries is the latest attempt at a show of strength to the West after it was reported that Russia was staging major nuclear missile exercises.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said he will summon Russia’s ambassador to Stockholm, Viktor Tatarintsev. Pictured: Billstrom at a news conference in Stockholm, March 17, 2023

Russia’s ambassador to Stockholm, Viktor Tatarintsev, said Sweden and Finaland would become ‘legitimate targets’ of ‘retaliatory measures,’ including ‘military ones’ when they join NATO

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom announced today: ‘The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will summon the Russian ambassador to make a clear statement against this blatant attempt at influence.’ 

‘Sweden’s security policy is determined by Sweden – no one else,’ he added.

READ MORE: Putin could launch a nuclear strike ‘to cause misery and destruction in recognition of Russian failure to conquer Ukraine’, expert warns 

Both Sweden and Finland have been closely allied to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for decades, but public opinion was previously against formally joining the alliance prior to the Russian invasion.

Some polls suggested that as many as 80 per cent in Finland and over two-thirds in Sweden were now in favour of joining NATO amid the war in Ukraine.

Since making their intentions clear, Sweden and Finland – which shares an 830 mile (1,340km) border with Russia – have been repeatedly threatened by Moscow.

But all 30 NATO members must ratify a countries membership application if it wants to join.

Finland is currently waiting upon Turkey to ratify its membership.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised to do this following the Finnish President Sauli Niinisto’s visit to the country earlier this month.

But it was reported yesterday that Hungary is currently holding up Sweden’s admission to NATO because of grievances over criticism by Stockholm of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s policies.

A Hungarian government spokesman detailed the issue on Wednesday and said that bridging the gap will require effort on both sides.

Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto signs the Nato Law in Helsinki, Finland, 23 March 2023. All 30 NATO countries must now ratify its membership

Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto (left) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attend a press conference after their meeting in Ankara, Turkey, 17 March 2023

After months of foot-dragging by Orban’s ruling Fidesz party, Hungary’s parliament approved a bill on Monday to allow Finland to join NATO but the Swedish bill is still stranded.

‘In the case of Sweden, there is an ample amount of grievances that need to be addressed before the country’s admission is ratified,’ Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said on his blog.

READ MORE: Putin stages major nuclear missile exercises involving 3,000 troops in show of strength to the West 

Swedish representatives ‘have been repeatedly keen to bash Hungary through diplomatic means, using their political influence to harm Hungarian interests’, he said, referring to Swedish criticism over the erosion of rule of law by Orban’s government in the past 13 years. Orban denies these allegations.

He said Stockholm had taken a ‘hostile attitude’ to Budapest for years.

‘Adding Ankara’s woes and grievances to the mix does not leave much room to manoeuvre, at least not until the Swedes start changing their tune and help these lingering wounds heal,’ Kovacs said.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said last week that Turkey’s parliament would also start ratifying Finland’s accession.

The latest threat against Sweden and Finland comes after it was reported that Vladimir Putin was staging major nuclear missile exercises involving 3,000 troops.

The war games coupled with the the latest comments are seen as a blatant attempt at a show of strength to the West.

Vladimir Putin’s troops are carrying out tests with the ‘invincible’ Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system across three regions in Russia.

The launch of Russia’s ‘invincible’ Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system in October 2022

Vladimir Putin is staging major nuclear missile exercises involving 3,000 of his troops 

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