The US supports the NATO accession of Finland and Sweden, in spite of Moscow’s threat to retaliate over a new enlargement of the Alliance. NATO officials reminded Russia that this is a defensive alliance and that the decision of previously neutral countries to seek protection within the organization has been prompted exclusively by Moscow’s aggression on Ukraine. The Russian foreign ministry said Finland’s accession would severely affect bilateral relations and the stability and security of Northern Europe, forcing Russia to take counter-measures to offset possible threats to its national security. The Russian fleet in the Baltic Sea initiated manoeuvres to survey NATO’s forces in the region on Thursday, the exact day when Finland announced its decision to join NATO. The accession may be announced officially in the Allies’ summit in Madrid this summer.
