Helsinki: The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that Helsinki's decision to join NATO will have a "negative effect" on its relations with Russia. Finland completed its application process on Tuesday, joining the US-led military alliance as its 31st member.
According to the ministry, the action will unavoidably elicit a response from Moscow, which continues to view the bloc's expansion as a direct threat to its national security interests.
The ministry issued a statement saying, "As we have warned on numerous occasions, the Russian Federation will have to respond with military-technical as well as other measures to address national security threats arising from Finland joining NATO.
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Moscow has not yet made any declarations regarding the specific actions it will take in response to Finland's NATO membership. According to the ministry, the answer will depend on "the specific conditions under which Finland joins NATO, including the placement of NATO military facilities and offensive weapons on its territory."
According to the ministry, Northern Europe, which for many years "used to be one of the most stable regions in the world," has suffered greatly from the bloc's most recent expansion. Referring to the length of the direct land borders between Russia and NATO member states, it continued, "The line of contact between NATO and the Russian Federation's border has more than doubled."
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In addition, Helsinki's action, according to Russian diplomats, has damaged Finland's own international reputation. Finland has lost its independence and "unique identity" by joining NATO, and it no longer enjoys the "special status" that comes from its long-standing non-alignment policy.
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"Finland joined NATO as a minor member, losing its ability to participate in decision-making. It no longer has any influence over world affairs, the ministry declared. There is no doubt that Finland's membership in NATO will harm the bilateral ties between Russia and Finland.