So Vladimir Putin has signalled Russia will have to tolerate Finland and Sweden joining NATO, but warned that Russia would be thinking of a response depending on whether or not military bases or foreign equipment were installed in either country.
Putin affirmed that the proposed NATO enlargement posed “no direct threat for Russia”, adding he had “no problems” with either Finland or Sweden despite being vehemently against the pair joining NATO.
The two Scandinavian countries formally announced its membership application despite Putin warning that in embedding themselves with the expanding military infrastructure of NATO, they risk exponentially increasing tensions within the already fragile area.
Watch the video to find out exactly what Putin said during a round table meeting with other Heads of State.
