Sweden declares its readiness for any Russian response to joining NATO

The HEAD of the Ministry of Defense admitted the risk of a reaction from RUSSIA if Sweden decides to join NATO.He asked allies to provide security guarantees before accepting an application for membership in the alliance and to increase the number of military exercises Peter Hultqvist

Sweden is ready to respond to "any counter response" from Russia if Stockholm applies to join NATO, Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist said, REUTERS reports.

“If Sweden decides to seek NATO membership, there is a risk of a reaction from Russia. Let me state that in this case we are ready to deal with any counter response,” Hultqvist said.

The head of the Ministry of Defense noted that in this case, Sweden needs security guarantees from allies for the period between its application to join NATO and its ratification by existing members.

“Among other things, an increase in military exercises with international partners both on Swedish territory and in the immediate vicinity can help raise the threshold of defense [against attack],” he added.

Putin discussed with the Security Council the threat from the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO Politics

Now Sweden has the status of a NATO partner state, but after the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, Stockholm again started talking about the possibility of joining the North Atlantic Alliance.

In mid-April, the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, citing sources in the ruling party, reported that Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson plans to apply in early June. However, the Expressen newspaper later reported that the application could be submitted on Monday 16 May.

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After that, Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Dmitry Polyansky said that countries wishing to join NATO could become Russia's target if alliance troops appear on their territory. “They know that once they become members of NATO, it will require certain mirror steps from the Russian side,” he said.

Turkey did not see any positive in the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO Politics

The Russian Foreign Ministry warned of the risk of "the most undesirable consequences" of this move. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that the accession of previously neutral Finland and Sweden to NATO would lead to a radical change in the military-political situation.

Speaking about the measures that Russia can take when Sweden and Finland join NATO, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev announced the strengthening of the grouping of ground forces along the borders with the alliance and the significant deployment of naval forces in the Gulf of Finland.

On May 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting of the Security Council, where they discussed "potential threats to the security" of the country in the event of Sweden joining NATO.