Russia warns Sweden & Finland of 'detrimental consequences' if they seek to join NATO

Even as Russia continues its audacious invasion against Ukraine, it has now threatened Sweden and Finland and warned two countries against joining North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). According to reports, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson avered that Sweden and Finland will face "detrimental consequences" if y join NATO. This comes after Russian President Vlimir Putin order country's troops to inve its neighbor Ukraine. 

Moscow to send a delegation for talks

As war rages on, Russian President Vlimir Putin is likely to send a delegation for talks with Kyiv, reported Russia's state-run media, Sputnik. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, a Russian diplomatic delegation, including foreign ministry, defence and min officials, could be sent to Minsk for talks with Ukraine. This comes shortly after Putin earlier rejected Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's offer for talks, demanding that Ukraine should surrender first. 

Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov too held a press conference and said that his country is willing to negotiate if Ukrainian Army lays down its weapons. During his press conference, Lavrov avered that his country 'tried to convince' Ukraine and its western partners through diplomatic channels. Lavrov furr said Russia is willing to resume negotiation through diplomatic channels if Ukraine's army agrees to lay down arms. 

Russia inves Ukraine 

Weeks after amassing over 150,000 troops on Ukraine's borders, Russian President Vlimir Putin ordered a 'special military operation' in Ukraine's Donbas region. However, Russian military later targeted Kyiv, Kharkiv, Ivano-Frankivsk with airstrikes and also deployed tanks towards Lviv from Belarus-Ukraine border. In dition, Russia has also been attacking from shores of Mariupol and Odesa and troops have taken over Chernobyl nuclear plant, while fighting rages on outskirts of Kyiv.