Putin says Finland and Sweden’s entry into NATO is a “meaningless step” and Russia will deploy troops and “systems of destruction” to the Finland border, according to state media.
Signs of tension with Russia are rising in the Nordic region following Sweden and Norway’s accession to NATO.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Wednesday warned that Moscow is gearing up for a “long conflict with the West” and Denmark revealed plans to boost defence spending, as Russia continued to condemn the expansion of the Western military alliance in the wake of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
News|Russia-Ukraine warNordic tensions on the rise amid Russian anger over NATO accessionsFinland PM urges EU to step up defence spending and coordination, as tensions rise with Russia following NATO accession.
“Russia is evidently preparing for a long conflict with the West and represents a permanent and essential military threat to Europe,” the Finnish leader declared.
“If we, as a united Europe, fail to respond sufficiently to this challenge, the coming years will be filled with danger and the looming threat of attack,” he said, before adding: “Russia is not invincible.”Orpo, whose country neighbours Russia, urged the 27-country European Union to step up defence spending and said the bloc had to take care of its own defence, insisting that its security cannot hinge on the outcome of the election in the United States.Republican contender Donald Trump suggested last month that NATO guarantees could be weakened should he win back the White House in November’s vote.
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
If a neighboring country considered your nation a threat, how might that perception affect your feelings about your own government and its foreign policies?
@9KRT2C5 2mos2MO
As an American, with respect to Russia, I would concern myself only with actions that might negatively affect Alaska.
@Vot3rVo1ceFalconRepublican2mos2MO
This is so totally out of control. We aren't going to have an election. That's why the Democrats are sticking with Biden. It won't matter.
Turn to Jesus, everyone. we're in the end times, and only he can save your soul for eternal damnation. Trust in him that he paid the price for you on the cross and his death and resurrection.
@L3ftWingMacawLibertarian2mos2MO
Since 1999 NATO has done nothing else than interfering in non NATO countries and consequently adventure our peace, prosperity and democracies.
It has militarily intervened in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria and throughout the Middle East, North Africa and now Ukraine despite being a supposed defence pact to defend NATO members.
This has led to a destabalizing stream of refugees into Europe while "its" Atlantic Council has intervened in our democracies and right to free speech.
NATO is a complete disaster for the European peoples and needs to be defanged and defocused on the defense of its member countries. No Swedish or Finnish soldiers should die in any country outside of NATO, nor should any equipment or munitions be sent elsewhere.
@WidgeonEmiliaDemocrat2mos2MO
It's all talk and no action. They do not have any military capacity left other than at main fronts.
Just look at how they bled Kaliningrad dry.
Lucky for them, we are the good guys and wont take it, even when it's at steep discount currently.
Will world leaders allow the conflict to escalate further or will they search for a diplomatic solution?
Mr Externbrink and my father would have opted for a diplomatic solution to stop the war as quickly as possible.
War only has losers.
@9KV4MKQ2mos2MO
good to keep tabs on whats going on in the world
@9KTYTWZRepublican2mos2MO
I think they should stop the war now, a lot of people are getting hurt because of them.
As a finn, this does not worry me at all. We are ready. We have been ready for decades
@9KV68HY2mos2MO
I think all these topics are important but a potential world war is very important breaking news.
@RedStateGarlicTranshumanist2mos2MO
They have reduced the troops towards Norway to 10% after the full scale war. So they don't seem to scared by NATO. Would be fun if they will man the full length of the Finish border.
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
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