Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia is fully aware of the measures it needs to undertake to ensure security in light of NATO's increasing engagement with Sweden and Finland. Lavrov made these remarks during a press conference on Tuesday after holding talks with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi.
"We will certainly draw conclusions based on the speed and extent of NATO's encroachment into the territories of Finland and Sweden. There is no doubt that this is their intention; Helsinki and Stockholm are already engaged in discussions with the United States regarding the deployment of alliance infrastructure near Russia's borders in the case of Finland and in close proximity to our borders in the case of Sweden," Lavrov emphasized.
He further added, "Rest assured, all legitimate security interests of the Russian Federation will be safeguarded. We are fully aware of the necessary measures and how to effectively implement them."
Lavrov also highlighted that Russia is proactively taking steps in response to the potential expansion of NATO. "We are taking appropriate measures well in advance," he affirmed in response to a related question.
Neutral status
Lavrov expressed surprise at how swiftly Finland and Sweden abandoned their neutral status in favor of joining the alliance. "The rapid abandonment of their neutral status by both Finland and Sweden, along with the advantages it provided them for many decades in terms of an independent role, reputation and influence in Europe and the international arena, is truly astonishing," the minister remarked.
Additionally, he pointed out that these countries have also relinquished the benefits derived from special trade, economic, investment, and other relations with the Russian Federation.
"The speed of these developments leads one to question the submissive position in which these countries have been placed by the United States and the rest of the Western bloc," - stated the Russian foreign minister. - "Both Finnish and Swedish national interests were sacrificed to the necessity of rallying the entire West against Russia, using Ukraine as another tool aimed at our country, solely to prevent any challenge to the US-imposed task of ensuring eternal Western hegemony, while continuing to exploit others through colonial methods."
"Let me reiterate, Finland and Sweden once had different reputations, but apparently their instincts from the time of the emergence of Nazism in Europe and the Cold War were only superficially buried. As soon as the command to align against Russia was given, they obediently complied. Sadly, this is the choice made by the governments that received the votes of their citizens, and it is ultimately up to the people of those respective countries to judge whether this serves the interests of Finland and Sweden," concluded Lavrov.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS