Germany's FM Annalena Baerbock asserts NATO will always be defensive alliance

As Russia has expressed its discontent with Finland and Sweden's decision to seek rth Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) membership citing it will disrupt security in region, Foreign Minister of Germany, Annalena Baerbock, after an informal meeting of rth Atlantic Alliance foreign ministers on Sunday stated that alliance's efforts will always be defensive, underlining that it does t pose threat to anyone.

As per reports of TASS, Baerbock stated that NATO is, and will always be a defence alliance, claiming that  world changed after February 24 -  day of commencement of Russia's special operation in Ukraine, adding that NATO has a different meaning since n. She furr stated that as NATO partners, y make it plain that alliance's doors are open to those who require security assistance. She continued by stating that before February 24, for certain countries, joining alliance was t most significant thing but w that has changed, especially for rrn European friends in Sweden and Finland.

German Foreign Minister also stated that if Finland and Sweden elect to join NATO,  procedure will be rar quick. She stated that both countries did t want to join NATO earlier, but w y have been pushed into it. She furr claimed that ir doors are open right w and Germany's government has made every effort to expedite ratification process. Baerbock went on and added that if Finland and Sweden join NATO, y will be able to ratify necessary documents very, very quickly in Germany, like many or allies.

Annalena Baerbock also said that German Cabinet has done everything possible to ensure that agreement on Finland and Sweden's NATO membership is ratified quickly in Germany. Earlier, German Foreign Minister claimed that it was Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions that pushed Sweden and Finland to join NATO and that Finland and Sweden are also willing to join alliance since y want to live in peace with ir neighbour.

EU is gradually integrating with NATO: Lavrov

In meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at 30th Assembly of Council on Foreign and Defense Policy on Saturday that  European Union is gradually integrating with NATO, falling under NATO, according to TASS. Russia has warned both Finland and Sweden against joining NATO.

Im: AP