Russia Deploys Troops in Response to Sweden and Finland Joining NATO
In a strong response to the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO, Russia announced on Saturday that it will deploy more military assets on its territory to counter the perceived threat. The move comes after the Hungarian Parliament ratified Swedenās entry into the bloc, marking the final obstacle in the process.
Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, made the announcement during the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkey, stating that forces will be deployed to address security challenges arising from the territories of Finland and Sweden. He expressed regret over the countriesā decision to join NATO, citing the trade of decades of good neighborliness and neutrality for membership in the Alliance.
Following the Hungarian Parliamentās approval of Swedenās entry into NATO, Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, hailed the decision as āhistoric.ā However, Russia issued a strong warning to the entire bloc, stating that it will closely monitor Swedenās actions within the military alliance and respond with retaliatory measures if necessary.
Both Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO in 2022, amid Russiaās offensive on Ukraine. Finland received approval from all 30 NATO members on April 4, while Sweden faced obstacles from Turkey and Hungary over various commitments. After meeting certain requirements, Hungary ultimately approved Swedenās accession.
In addition to addressing the NATO expansions, Lavrov also spoke about the ongoing war in Ukraine, accusing the West of having a āwarlikeā attitude towards kyiv. He emphasized the importance of negotiating with Ukraine while recognizing Russiaās legitimate interests in the region.
The latest developments highlight the growing tensions between Russia and NATO as the military alliance expands its membership in response to security threats in the region.