Putin warns of 'problems' for Finland for joining NATO

Putin warns of 'problems' for Finland for joining NATO
by Mark Moran
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 17, 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of "problems" for neighboring Finland because it joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization earlier this year.

The move, in addition to potentially heightening security tensions in Northern Europe and the alliance's 830 mile border with Russia Northern Europe, it is a blow to Putin, who has cautioned against a NATO expansion

"They [the West] took Finland and dragged it into NATO!," Putin said in an interview published Sunday by state broadcaster Russia 1. "Why did we have any disputes with Finland? All disputes, including those of a territorial nature in the middle of the 20th Century, have all been resolved long ago."

"There were no problems, but now there will be, because we will now create the Leningrad military district there and definitely concentrate military units there," Putin added in the interview by Russian state broadcaster Russia 1.

"Why do they need this?" he asked.

During the interview Putin threatened that Russia will create a "Leningrad military district" on the border with Finland and amass forces there, but also claimed not to be interested in fighting NATO members.

The Russian leader called remarks from President Joe Biden "complete nonsense." Biden warned earlier this month that Putin would "keep going" if he takes Ukraine, suggesting that Russia could eventually attack a NATO ally and draw American troops into conflict.

Putin said Russia "has no reason, no interest, no geopolitical interest, neither economic, nor political nor military, to fight with NATO countries," adding Moscow does not have any territorial claims in NATO countries.

"There is no desire to spoil relations with them [NATO countries]. We are interested in developing relations," Putin added.

United States to gain access to 15 military bases in Finland
Helsinki (AFP) Dec 15, 2023 - Finland will sign a defence agreement next week giving the United States access to 15 military bases in NATO's newest member, the Finnish defence ministry said on Friday.

"The Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) is to be signed in Washington DC" on Monday by Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the foreign affairs ministry said.

The treaty must then be approved by the Nordic country's parliament.

"The DCA will strengthen Finland's defence because it enables the presence and training of US forces and the prepositioning of defence material in the territory of Finland," the foreign ministry continued.

"It will also support the implementation of NATO's deterrence and defence."

Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen will be present in Washington during the signing to meet Blinken.

The United States signed a similar pact with Sweden on December 6 that gives Washington access to 17 military bases.

Concerns raised by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 led both Finland and Sweden to abandon their long-standing military non-alignment and apply for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Finland joined in April, while Sweden is still waiting for its bid to be ratified by NATO members Hungary and Turkey.