Russia warns Finland’s membership in NATO would be a threat.

Russia on Thursday warned that Finland’s potential membership in NATO was a threat and said that it was prepared to “balance the situation,” characterizing any steps it takes in response as a necessary reaction forced on it by the alliance’s continued expansion.

President Vladimir Putin has cited NATO’s spread eastward to countries on its borders as the primary national threat to Russia and has used Ukraine’s desire to join the alliance to justify his invasion of that country. Mr. Putin has accused the United States and its allies of fighting a “proxy war” by arming Kyiv’s forces.

Russian officials continued to harp on that theme after Finnish leaders expressed support for quickly applying for NATO membership, suggesting that Mr. Putin is likely to spin the move as evidence that the alliance is growing increasingly hostile. Read more

@nytimes