Russia response to Finland entry to NATO will be a surprise: Zakharova
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Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson says Moscow will take the appropriate decision over Helsinki's decision to join the NATO alliance.
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Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova
Russia's response to Finland's decision to join NATO will come as a surprise, but the measures will be military, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova revealed.
"It will be a surprise. This is up to our defense ministry. Of course, the appropriate decision will be made, taking into account the whole range of factors, and the specifics of how Finland's membership in NATO will develop," Zakharova pointed out.
Answering what military-technical measures Russia planned to apply to Finland, the Russian diplomat indicated that "based on all these parameters, a decision will be made, but first of all, of course, it belongs to the military."
On Wednesday, Finland and Sweden handed in their bids to join the US-led military alliance NATO.
The two countries have been expected to apply to join NATO, which promised to grant them membership quickly, according to diplomats and officials.
An appropriate reaction from Moscow
It is noteworthy that Russian President Vladimir Putin had said that Russia has no issue with Finland and Sweden that are willing to join NATO, affirming that their accession to the alliance posed no threat to his country. However, he stressed, that such action would trigger an appropriate reaction from Moscow.
The Kremlin stated on Monday that Finland and Sweden's decision to join NATO will not strengthen European security.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov had also said that the decision was a "grave mistake with far-reaching consequences."
Turkey opposes Finland and Sweden's NATO membership
On its part, Turkey opposed Finland and Sweden's NATO membership requests, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who added that any attempts to persuade Ankara to modify its attitude would be futile.
Erdogan considered that Finland and Sweden "do not have a clear unequivocal stance against terrorist organizations. Sweden is the incubation center of terrorist organizations. They bring terrorists to talk in their parliaments."
