It is reported that Russia has increased its attacks in Ukraine after the NATO summit. As Turkey, Sweden and Finland gave the green light to NATO membership, the two countries’ NATO membership process started, and a warning came from Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Putin denied that he had threatened Sweden and Finland not to join NATO, but stated that Russia would take military countermeasures.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to Turkmenistan, the Russian leader said, “There is nothing to worry about Sweden and Finland’s membership in NATO,” and added, “But they need to understand this. There was no threat against them before. We will need to respond, and we will need to make the same threats to the region where the threats against us came from.”
“There will be some tension”
“Everything was fine between us,” Putin said, referring to Sweden and Finland. But now there will be some tension. It’s clear, there’s no doubt about it, it can’t go the other way.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sweden and Finland abandoned their neutral principle and announced their plans for NATO membership, and Russia stated that this would have consequences.
With the membership process that started in Madrid, where the NATO summit was held, the alliance’s land border with Russia will be extended by 1300 kilometers.
Russia intensifies attacks
On the other hand, it is reported that Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine after the NATO summit. At the summit, NATO described Russia as the “most serious threat” to the West.
Ukrainian authorities announced that they are trying to evacuate civilians from Lysychansk in the east of the country. It is stated that 15,000 civilians are still under Russian bombardment in the city.
dpa, rt/SSB, JD