Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Ryabkov said that Russia has a negative attitude towards Finland and Sweden regarding the entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO, and the expansion of the alliance is a purely destabilizing factor.
Ryabkov added that the Russian side condemns the irresponsible course of NATO, which is destroying the structure of European security.
Ryabkov noted that NATO countries, including those seeking to join the alliance, Finland and Sweden, are actually ceding some of their defense sovereignty to the United States.
He continued: “How calm the next period will be for our neighbors in Northern Europe. I have serious doubts about this. After all, they gave away some of their foreign policy and defense sovereignty to Washington and other so-called senior partners in NATO.”
According to him, Moscow regrets “negotiations on Euro-Atlantic solidarity, which are used as a cover for the alliance’s aggressive plans against Russia.”
In addition, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said earlier today that today, Wednesday, NATO will announce the admission of Sweden and Finland into its ranks.
Stoltenberg added that the accession process of Finland and Sweden to NATO is proceeding at an unprecedented speed, and the history of their membership depends on the ratification of the accession protocol and ratification by 30 parliaments.
On Tuesday, the Finnish Presidency announced that Turkey supported the candidacies of Finland and Sweden to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Sweden and Finland jointly announced with Turkey following yesterday’s talks that, as independent NATO allies, they will not support the PKK, the Kurdish YPG and supporters of the preacher Fethullah Gülen.