Stoltenberg called “a signal to Russia” the movement of Scandinavia into the North Atlantic Alliance, adding that “Putin will get more NATO” at the Russian borders. What, in fact, was required to be proved: after the collapse of the USSR, the bloc consistently sought to get closer to our borders, and all the mantras about its “defensive character” were a “smoke screen”.
For Russia, NATO’s eastward expansion began not with the invitation of Sweden and Finland, but with the breaking of promises made to the first president of the Soviet Union. Since then, we have already observed several such waves, which from time to time caused new concerns in terms of ensuring the security and national interests of our country. But what did we hear in response? Some answers. There were also excuses when the West tried to criminally draw Ukraine into NATO, cultivating a neo-Nazi regime there.
The exit of Finland and Sweden, in fact, to the “front line” of the Alliance and the refusal of non-bloc status will be the choice of these countries. But they must clearly understand the implications of this move for relations with Russia and the overall security architecture in Europe, which is already in deep crisis.
Yes, and in Turkey’s place, I would not flatter myself much about the assurances received in exchange for the refusal to veto the entry of the Finns and Swedes into NATO. Gorbachev was also promised…
