Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies warned that if Sweden and Finland joined NATO then Russia would deploy nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles in response.
Finland and Sweden are considering joining the NATO alliance. Finland will decide in the next few weeks, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Wednesday.
"There can be no more talk of any nuclear–free status for the Baltic - the balance must be restored," said Medvedev, who was Russian president from 2008 to 2012.
Medvedev said he hoped Finland and Sweden would see sense. If not, he said, they would have to live with nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles close to home.
NATO did not immediately respond to Russia's warning.
The entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO would be one of the biggest strategic consequences of the war in Ukraine. Finland gained independence from Russia in 1917 and fought two wars against it during World War Two. Sweden has not fought a war for 200 years.
Russia said in 2018 it had deployed Iskander missiles to Kaliningrad, which was captured by the Red Army in April 1945 and ceded to the Soviet Union at the Potsdam conference.
The Iskander missile, widely used in current war against Ukraine, is a short-range tactical ballistic missile system that can carry nuclear warheads. Its official range is 500 km.
"No sane person wants higher prices and higher taxes, increased tensions along borders, Iskanders, hypersonics and ships with nuclear weapons literally at arm's length from their own home," Medvedev said.
"Let's hope that the common sense of our northern neighbours will win."
Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said Russia had deployed nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad even before the war.
"Nuclear weapons have always been kept in Kaliningrad ... the international community, the countries in the region, are perfectly aware of this," Anusauskas was quoted as saying by BNS. "They use it as a threat."
Russia warns of nuclear deployment if Sweden and Finland join NATO (2)
Eestlased Soomes | 14 Apr 2022 | EWR
Viimased kommentaarid
Kommentaarid on kirjutatud EWR lugejate poolt. Nende sisu ei pruugi ühtida EWR toimetuse seisukohtadega.
Does this Putler mafia even stop to listen to how this sounds?
How can a normal human being living in Russia be okay with this threat to peace loving neighbours?
Sounds like a spouse to one who is leaving: "If you leave, I'll kill you."
Difference is, these neanderthal-like leaders wear suits, so we are tricked into thinking they are civilized.
How can a normal human being living in Russia be okay with this threat to peace loving neighbours?
Sounds like a spouse to one who is leaving: "If you leave, I'll kill you."
Difference is, these neanderthal-like leaders wear suits, so we are tricked into thinking they are civilized.
Eestlased Soomes
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