Making a statement on the trilateral agreement between Turkey-Sweden-Finland, Russian President Putin said, “We have neither territorial problems nor disagreements. There is nothing to worry us about Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin answered the questions of journalists after the 6th Summit of Leaders of the Caspian Sea Countries hosted by Turkmenistan in the capital Ashgabat.
Evaluating the trilateral memorandum between Turkey-Sweden-Finland, Putin stated that Russia has no problems with Sweden and Finland and said, “We have neither territorial problems nor disagreements. There is nothing to worry us about Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership.”
On the other hand, Putin warned that it was dangerous for the two countries to join NATO, saying, “There used to be no threat to them. Now, if military units and infrastructure are deployed there, we will have to respond and create a similar threat to their territory. This is something that is obvious and they need to understand this clearly.”
Stating that they have problems with Ukraine, Putin said, “The situation with Ukraine is completely different. There is nothing like this in Finland and Sweden. This is a completely different situation. If Sweden and Finland want, let them join NATO.”
Stating that “NATO is a remnant of the Cold War”, Putin said, “NATO is needed by the US as an instrument of its foreign policy to keep its satellites under its command.”
