We’ll retaliate if you join Nato, Russia warns Finns

RUSSIA has warned there would be “consequences” and increased instability in Europe after Finland announced it wants to join Nato.

A day after Boris Johnson held talks in Helsinki, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin set out their desire to join the defensive military alliance.

It is thought Sweden will follow suit with a statement on Sunday.

The Kremlin said yesterday: “Finland’s accession to Nato will cause serious damage to bilateral Russian-Finnish relations and the maintaining of stability and security in the Northern European region.

“Russia will be forced to take retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature to neutralise the threats to its national security.”

Finnish leaders said in a joint statement: “Nato membership would strengthen Finland’s security. As a member, Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance. Finland must apply for Nato membership without delay.” The country’s parliament could rubber-stamp the move in the next few days. Finland has an 800-mile border with Russia and the invasion of Ukraine has seen public support for joining Nato surge.

Nato members – which include the US and UK – vow to come to each other’s defence. On Wednesday Mr Johnson offered security guarantees to both Sweden and Finland.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen yesterday called Russia the “most direct threat” to world order. Speaking in Tokyo she highlighted Russia’s “worrying” ties with China.

And Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shakes the core of the international order including Asia.”

RUSSIA’S disastrous and criminal invasion of Ukraine has spurred Finland to seek membership of Nato. It is welcome that this alliance which championed liberty throughout the Cold War is getting stronger.

An enraged Kremlin has responded with threats – and we now know no nation can risk ignoring its vitriol. Russia, tragically, is led by a regime which is prepared to torch international law and unleash violence in pursuit of its objectives.

It is essential that democracies continue to show unity and solidarity as we confront this common danger.

We must be unwavering in our support of Ukraine and vigilant in detecting and deterring all threats to national security.