World

Peskov warns of a “territorial conflict” between Russia and NATO

May 16, 2022 Jordan Hansen

– We do not have any territorial dispute with Finland or Sweden, but we do not have hypothetical disputes Ukraine’s admission into NATO On Monday, TASS news agency quoted Peskov as saying that it could lead to a territorial dispute between Russia and one of the member states of the alliance.

When asked about Finland and Sweden’s efforts to join NATO, the Kremlin spokesman said that this would in no way strengthen the security architecture in Europe. “Moscow is watching this closely,” he added.

– There are grounds for the deepest possible analysis of the possible consequences (NATO Expansion – ed.). “We are not sure if Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO can enhance or improve the security situation on our continent,” he said.

Russia is “worried”

“We will closely monitor the practical implications for our security of Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO, which must be guaranteed absolutely unconditionally,” Peskov said, adding that Russia considers the NATO expansion process “alarming.”

He stressed that Moscow is closely watching the Swedish authorities’ statements that their country does not intend to host foreign military bases or weapons systems after joining the alliance. – The Kremlin spokesman added: – We are closely monitoring this situation and analyzing it in terms of maintaining the security of our country.

Finland wants to join NATO. Sweden too

On May 12, President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin released them together Statement on Finland’s “immediate” accession to NATO. Sweden is considering the same option. Sweden’s ruling Social Democratic Workers’ Council voted in favor of applying for NATO membership, but with one reservation – the Social Democrats unanimously oppose the deployment of nuclear weapons in the country.