Russia Warns of Consequences if Sweden and Finland Join NATO

For decades, Sweden and Finland resisted joining the western alliance NATO. Finland, which shares the longest EU border with Russia, specifically avoided antagonizing its much bigger neighbor throughout the Cold War. But now, that calculus seems to be shifting for the Scandinavian countries, as Russia's attack on Ukraine enters its eighth week. Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin says a decision will be made on whether her country will join NATO in the coming weeks. She made the remarks while standing alongside Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Adersson, who said Sweden was re-examining its long held position to stay out of NATO's security umbrella. Russia for its part, has given stern warnings about how it would respond to such an expansion, including threats to deploy nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles to its European enclave.

Guests:

Karsten Friis
Head of Security and Defence Group, Norwegian Inst of Int´l Affairs

Talha Kose
Associate Professor at Ibn Haldun University

[bigboyrambo]

I can see Russia point of view with Ukraine but Russia can not tell Finland or Sweden what to do.

[eerokutale]

Invading Finland would be dictator Putin's last mistake.

[paanikki]

It is commonly known by all Baltic sea countries, that Russia already has tactical nuclear warheads and hypersonic missiles stored in their Kaliningrad base, regardless of the anti-nuclear treaty. So, this threat would not change the situation in any way.

As for the other Russian countermeasures, it is natural that they would change their defence planning to some extent, if (and when) their neighbor Finland becomes a Nato member.

In reality, Russia has already concerned Finland and Sweden as Nato allies, even if they are not full members. So, the actual changes might be relatively small.

[londop.a.]

Russia does not understand that their comments have the opposite effect. In the 60's, there was a beer brand "Karelia" in Finland, which was not popular. One Russian general saw the bottle and stated that it was not appropriate (the label had a western sword and a Russian saber). You guess what happened, Karelia-beer sales started to grow strongly.

[snoopybrown]

Russia: Finland and Sweden I’m warning you of the consequences if you join NATO!

Finland & Sweden: We are sovereign nations. What’s that got to do with you?

Russia: I don’t want NATO at my doorstep!

Finland & Sweden: We also don’t want you at our doorstep! So how? 🤣🤣🤣

[xjvewtk]

What consequences ? Russia will whine and cry ?

[eurobonusabc]

All Russia can do is to threaten its neighbours because it has nothing else to offer. With all its resources, great minds and geographic reach, the average GDP per capita in Russia is around $11, 000 whereas Lithuania has roughly twice that, Sweden has 5 times and so on. So economically Russian system is not offering a lot, let alone complete control of the media. Why is it that so many non-Russians support Russia under Putin when so many Russians leave Russia? It is baffling.

[thisguy]

Its funny how you can escalate things and then only pay attention to the reaction to the escalation as to frame as original escalation. Virtually any was coverage has this quality

[ravenli]

I'm still confused why countries from Soviet union are joining NATO instead joining back to Russia

[sulosky]

"What are they going to do? Bleed on us"?

[Whatisrussia]

If Finland 🇫🇮 Joins NATO, Finland will be the next Ukraine 🇺🇦

[Laser]

Time is of an essence. If Sweden and Finland still waiting Ukraine/Russia war to be over before they wanted to be a member, then they lost that opportunity. After the war, Russia can focus now on both Sweden and Finland.

[jackmolh]

I dont hope any wars, but if this war come.. Its is big... Sweden and Finland is strong together.. There is easyly like over million soldier in north ready to defense their country and independence

[GwynBleys]

Well here is the thing, Russia would have a problem nuking Ukraine which is a historical Russian land with about 30% of the population still being ethnic Russians but it will not think twice about nuking Finland and Sweden if NATO pushed the world into a nuclear war... And btw adding those 2 countries to NATO would do exactly that... bring the world 100 steps closer to a nuclear apocalypse.

[knutbauer]

The Russian bear will eating Sweden and Finland if they join the NATO!🐻🍗