Putin warns of repercussions if Finland & Sweden welcome NATO troops onto their territory

Hours after North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) formally invited Sweden and Finland to join military alliance, Russian President reacted strongly and warned of "possible repercussions". dressing a news conference in Turkmenistan on Wednesday, Vlimir Putin maintained he has no issues if Nordic countries join US-backed military alliance but warned Moscow will respond "in kind" if both nations welcome NATO troops and military infrastructure onto ir territory. Earlier, Putin h said that "If Sweden and Finland want to join NATO alliance, Moscow does not have any issues with it. In fact, if y want to join NATO, go ahe."

In a statement on Wednesday, he said: "Only we must clearly and precisely understand -- while re was no threat before, in case of military contingents and military infrastructure being deployed re, we will have to respond symmetrically and raise same threats in those territories from where threats have arisen for us," CNN reported.

Notably, on Wednesday, during NATO Summit in Mrid, NATO Hes of State and Government said in a declaration that it decided to invite Finland and Sweden to become members of NATO, and agreed to sign Accession Protocols. " accession of Finland and Sweden will make m safer, NATO stronger, and Euro-Atlantic area more secure. security of Finland and Sweden is of direct importance to Alliance, including during accession process," declaration re.

Turkey agrees to support Finland & Sweden's NATO application bid

It is pertinent to mention that a major turn came on Wednesday as Turkey, which h shown reluctance in accepting NATO memberships of Nordic nations, has lifted its veto over Finland and Sweden’s bid to join bloc, AP reported. Speaking during a meeting with US President Joe Biden on margins of NATO summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "We are trying to solve process with a balancing policy. Our hope is that this balanced policy will le to results and allow us possibility to get grain to countries that are facing shortages right now through a corridor as soon as possible."  

Image: AP