Russia taking ‘countermeasures’ in response to Finland and Sweden joining Nato, Turkey’s Erdogan to speak to Helsinki
- Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday that Moscow would create new military bases in western Russia in response to the expansion of Nato
- Meanwhile, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he will speak to Finland on Saturday, while maintaining his opposition to Sweden and Finland’s Nato membership
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday that moves by Finland and Sweden to join Nato were part of an increase in military threats near Russia’s western borders, and it was taking “adequate countermeasures”.
In a speech, Shoigu also said the United States had stepped up strategic bomber flights in recent years, sent warships to the Baltic Sea and intensified training exercises in the region with its Nato partners.
He said Russia would respond by forming 12 units and divisions in its western military district, and that it was working to improve the combat strength of its troops.
“Tension continues to grow in the zone of responsibility of the Western Military District. We are taking adequate countermeasures,” Shoigu said.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to pro-Western Ukraine on February 24, sending shock waves across the world.
Moscow’s military campaign shook Sweden and Finland that – after decades of military non-alignment – decided to seek Nato membership despite warnings from the Kremlin.
Finland and Sweden formally applied to join the Western defence alliance Nato on Wednesday.
President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Swedish and Finnish Nato membership posed no threat to Russia, but cautioned that Moscow would respond if the alliance boosted military infrastructure in the two countries.
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Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he will speak to Finland on Saturday, while maintaining his opposition to Sweden and Finland’s Nato membership bids a week after he first voiced objections to the move.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Erdogan said he discussed the issue with the Dutch prime minister on Friday and would also speak to Britain on Saturday. He did not specify who he would speak to in Finland or Britain.
Turkey has expressed strong opposition to the Nordic countries’ ascension, pressing Sweden to halt support for Kurdish militants it considers part of a terrorist group and both to lift their bans on some arms sales to Turkey.
All 30 Nato members need to approve any new entrant.
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse
