www.bbc.com Open in urlscan Pro
151.101.128.81  Public Scan

Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

LET US KNOW YOU AGREE TO COOKIES

We use cookies to give you the best online experience. Please let us know if you
agree to all of these cookies.

Yes, I agree

No, take me to settings

BBC Homepage
 * Skip to content
 * Accessibility Help

 * Sign in


 * Home
 * News
 * Sport
 * Reel
 * Worklife
 * Travel
 * Future
 * More menu

More menu
Search BBC
 * Home
 * News
 * Sport
 * Reel
 * Worklife
 * Travel
 * Future
 * Culture
 * Music
 * TV
 * Weather
 * Sounds

Close menu
BBC News
Menu
 * Home
 * War in Ukraine
 * Coronavirus
 * Climate
 * Video
 * World
 * UK
 * Business
 * Tech
 * Science
 * Stories

More
 * Entertainment & Arts
 * Health
 * World News TV
 * In Pictures
 * Reality Check
 * Newsbeat
 * Long Reads

 * World
 * Africa
 * Asia
 * Australia
 * Europe
 * Latin America
 * Middle East
 * US & Canada


FINLAND NATO: RUSSIA THREATENS TO RETALIATE OVER MEMBERSHIP MOVE

Published3 days ago
commentsComments
Share
close
Share page
Copy link
About sharing
Related Topics
 * Russia-Ukraine war

Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Finland has a 1,300km border with Russia

Russia has said it will be forced to take "retaliatory steps" over its neighbour
Finland's move to join Nato.

A foreign ministry statement said the move would seriously damage bilateral
relations, as well as security and stability in northern Europe.

Earlier, Finland's president and PM called for the country to apply for Nato
membership "without delay".

It comes amid a surge in public support for Nato membership following Russia's
invasion of Ukraine.

Finland shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia. Until now, it has
stayed out of Nato to avoid antagonising its eastern neighbour.

Finland will formally announce its decision on Sunday after it has been
considered by parliament and other senior political figures.



Sweden has said it will announce a similar decision on the same day.

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said he expects the process of
giving Sweden and Finland membership to happen "quite quickly".

The White House said the US would back a Nato application from both countries if
they apply.

 * Are Finland and Sweden going from neutral to Nato?
 * What is Nato and could Finland and Sweden join?
 * Is Nato's Nordic expansion a threat or boost to Europe?

The Russian statement (in Russian) described Finland's move as "a radical change
in the country's foreign policy".

"Finland's accession to Nato will cause serious damage to bilateral
Russian-Finnish relations and the maintaining of stability and security in the
Northern European region," it said.

"Russia will be forced to take retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical
and other nature, in order to neutralise the threats to its national security
that arise from this."



However, Moscow has not specified what steps it plans to take.

Russia's deputy UN representative Dmitry Polyansky said Sweden and Finland would
become possible targets for Russia if they become Nato members, according to
Russian news agency Ria.

This video can not be played


TO PLAY THIS VIDEO YOU NEED TO ENABLE JAVASCRIPT IN YOUR BROWSER.

Media caption,
Watch: Pekka Haavisto tells the BBC that Russia’s invasion was a turning point
for Finland wanting to join Nato

Russian officials were responding to a joint statement by Finnish President
Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin, which said the two leaders
expected a decision on Nato membership in the next few days.

"Nato membership would strengthen Finland's security," it said. "As a member of
Nato, Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance. Finland must apply
for Nato membership without delay."

Speaking to journalists later, Mr Niinisto responded to Russian concerns and
blamed the move on Moscow's invasion.

"Joining Nato would not be against anyone. You caused this. Look in the mirror,"
he said.



An opinion poll last week put support in Finland for joining Nato at 76%, with
12% against, a big swing towards membership since before the invasion.

Finland and the USSR were on opposing sides in World War Two, with the Finns
famously fending off a Soviet invasion in 1939-40.

But Finland lost 10% of its territory in the final peace agreement and remained
non-aligned throughout the Cold War.

Its accession to Nato would more than double the length of Russia's borders with
the alliance. Sweden does not have a border with Russia.

Image source, .


MORE ON THIS STORY

 * Are Sweden and Finland going from neutral to Nato?
   
   3 days ago
   

 * How do you join Nato?
   
   5 hours ago
   

 * Is Nato's Nordic expansion a threat or boost to Europe?
   
   8 May
   

 * No set date for Nato application - Finnish minister
   
   26 April
   

 * Finland to decide on Nato bid in weeks, says PM
   
   13 April
   

 * Russia warns Sweden and Finland against Nato bid
   
   11 April
   

 * PM to hold Ukraine talks with Sweden and Finland
   
   5 days ago
   




RELATED TOPICS

 * Russia-Ukraine war
 * Nato
 * Finland





TOP STORIES

 * Live. 
   
   Sweden confirms it will apply to join Nato

 * The children's camp that became an execution ground
   
   Published15 hours ago

 * Names of US supermarket shooting victims released
   
   Published4 hours ago




FEATURES

 * Pinned down by Russian fire in key frontline village
   
   

 * The children's camp that became an execution ground
   
   

 * Can Africa replace Russian gas supplies to Europe?
   
   
 * 

 * The new jet set - why private plane use has soared
   
   

 * How Australia became the anxious country
   
   

 * A tale of two women’s murders – and media bias
   
   

 * What’s the difference between love and lust?
   
   

 * The forgotten genius who invented our future
   
   

 * Eurovision win brings 'incredible happiness' to Ukraine
   
   




ELSEWHERE ON THE BBC

 * Russia pushed back from Kharkiv - front line report
   
   Correspondent Quentin Sommerville and cameraman Darren Conway are with
   Ukrainian troops as they advance.
   
   

 * Russia fighting for motherland in Ukraine - Putin
   
   The Russian leader uses Victory Day to tie the war in Ukraine to the fight
   against Nazi Germany
   
   

 * LISTEN: The extraordinary story of Putin's life
   
   A revealing history as told by those who have watched, studied and worked
   with the Russian president
   
   




MOST READ

 1.  1McDonald's to leave Russia for good after 30 years
 2.  2Pinned down by Russian fire in key frontline village
 3.  3Eurovision vote hacking attempt foiled, police say
 4.  4The children's camp that became an execution ground
 5.  5Queen attends first Platinum Jubilee celebration
 6.  6Names of US supermarket shooting victims released
 7.  7Ryanair warns flight prices to Europe will rise
 8.  8In maps: Russian momentum slows in east
 9.  9Covid mask rule partially eased for EU air travel
 10. 10Russia nationalises Renault's Moscow plant







BBC NEWS SERVICES

 * On your mobile
 * On smart speakers
 * Get news alerts
 * Contact BBC News

 * Home
 * News
 * Sport
 * Reel
 * Worklife
 * Travel
 * Future
 * Culture
 * Music
 * TV
 * Weather
 * Sounds

 * Terms of Use
 * About the BBC
 * Privacy Policy
 * Cookies
 * Accessibility Help
 * Parental Guidance
 * Contact the BBC
 * Get Personalised Newsletters
 * Why you can trust the BBC
 * Advertise with us
 * AdChoices / Do Not Sell My Info

© 2022 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read
about our approach to external linking.