Finland, Sweden possible targets if admitted to NATO: Russian envoy
Russia's deputy envoy to the UN says he sees no diplomatic option for ending the crisis and that there was no way to prevent the operation in Ukraine.
Sweden and Finland would potentially become targets for the Russian military and force Moscow to take action if they are admitted to NATO, the Russian deputy representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky affirmed on Thursday.
During an interview with the YouTube channel UnHerd, Polyansky considered that “if there are NATO detachments in these territories [Finland and Sweden], these territories will become a possible target for a strike."
Russia will also have to make other military moves in the situation that the two countries join NATO, Polyansky noted, adding that Moscow is ready to face the threat of NATO.
Polyanskiy: No diplomatic option for solving crisis
The Russian deputy envoy to the United Nations said he sees no diplomatic option for solving the situation in Ukraine, stressing that there was no way to prevent the operation.
"Nobody wants military activity and we would prefer another option. A diplomatic option. But there was no way to stop the war," Polyansky mentioned.
Russia’s position on Kiev joining EU changed
The Russian diplomat pointed out that Moscow's position on Kiev joining the European Union has now changed and is similar to Russia's stance on Ukraine's ascension to NATO.
"[At Istanbul talks] we were not worrying about the situation but it changed after Mr. [EU Commissioner] Josep Borrell’s statement that this war should be won on the battleground. I think our position on Ukraine joining the European Union is now more similar to NATO," Polyansky explained.
Russia to present new evidence about US biolabs in Ukraine
On his Telegram channel, Polyanskiy revealed that Russia will present new evidence of US military biological activities in Ukraine at a UN Security Council meeting on Friday.
"We demanded an open meeting of the UN Security Council to present new evidence on military biological programs carried out at the US biolabs in Ukraine. The meeting is scheduled for 10 am NY time tomorrow, 13 May," Polyanskiy wrote on his channel.