Russia "Finland NATO Membership, National Security Threat... Military Retaliation Inevitable" (Comprehensive)

Concerns Over Nuclear Weapon Deployment in Border Areas Including Kaliningrad
US and NATO Actively Support... Membership Expected as Early as Next Month

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Russian government strongly opposed Finland's declaration of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), stating that retaliatory measures are inevitable. With Sweden also likely to join NATO alongside Finland, there are concerns that Russia may take military retaliatory actions, such as deploying nuclear forces in border areas with the two countries.

According to CNN on the 12th (local time), the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying, "The pro-NATO remarks made by Finnish President Sauli Niinist? and Prime Minister Sanna Marin represent a radical shift in Finland's foreign policy," and strongly criticized, "They must be fully aware of the responsibilities and consequences that such actions will bring." It further warned, "In this regard, we have no choice but to take military, technical, and other retaliatory measures to prevent threats to national security."

Earlier that day, President Niinist? and Prime Minister Marin officially declared NATO membership through a joint statement, saying, "We must apply for NATO membership without delay." Accordingly, Finland abandoned its neutrality policy after 74 years since declaring neutrality in 1948. The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned, "Finland's NATO membership would directly violate the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty and the 1992 treaty on the basis of Russia-Finland relations."

Sweden, Finland's neighboring country, is also expected to officially apply for NATO membership on the 16th, raising concerns about Russia's military provocation threats. According to AFP, the Russian military previously conducted a simulated nuclear warhead attack exercise on April 4 in Kaliningrad, an exclave facing Finland and Sweden across the Baltic Sea, demonstrating its military power. AFP reported that there is a possibility that Russia may deploy tactical nuclear weapons in border areas between the two countries as a nuclear threat.

The U.S. government expressed strong support for Finland and Sweden's NATO membership. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki emphasized in a press briefing that day, "We will support Finland or Sweden if they apply for NATO membership," and added, "Both Finland and Sweden are close and valuable defense partners of the United States and NATO."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also welcomed Finland's decision, stating, "The accession process will proceed smoothly and swiftly," expressing support for their membership. According to AP, the decision on the two countries' NATO membership is expected to be announced as early as next month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.