Russia warns that joining NATO would make Sweden a “legitimate target” for retaliatory measures

Sweden summoned the Russian ambassador in Stockholm after he said the country and neighboring Finland would become “legitimate targets” after they joined NATO.

Russia’s ambassador to Stockholm said in a statement on the embassy’s website that the two Scandinavian countries would become “legitimate targets” for “retaliatory measures”, including “military”, after joining the international military coalition.

A spokesman for the Swedish Foreign Ministry confirmed that the ambassador would be recalled.

Sweden and Finland sought NATO membership in 2022 shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and both Sweden and Finland hope to complete the process this year.

He said Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will summon the Russian ambassador to make a clear statement against this flagrant attempt to influence.”

“Swedish security policy is determined by Sweden – nobody else,” Mr. Billstrom added.

Hungary has blocked Sweden’s accession to NATO due to complaints about Stockholm’s criticism of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s policies, a Hungarian government spokesman reported on Wednesday.

The spokesman, Zoltan Kovacs, said bridging the gap would require efforts from both sides.

Sweden and its neighbor Finland asked to join the NATO military alliance last year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But Hungary and Turkey impeded this process.

After months of stalling by Orban’s ruling Fidesz party, the Hungarian parliament on Monday approved a bill to allow Finland to join NATO, but the Swedish law remains stuck.

“In the case of Sweden, there are a great deal of grievances that need to be addressed before the country’s admission can be certified,” Kovacs said on his blog.

He said the Swedish representatives ‘have repeatedly made sure to crush Hungary through diplomatic means, using their political influence to harm Hungarian interests’, referring to Swedish criticism over the erosion of the rule of law by Orban’s government in the past 13 years. Orban denies the allegations.

He said Stockholm had taken a “hostile stance” towards Budapest for years.

“Adding Ankara’s problems and grievances into the mix leaves little room for maneuver, at least until the Swedes start changing their tune and helping these lingering wounds heal,” Kovacs said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week that the Turkish parliament would also start ratifying Finland’s accession. But she refused to approve Sweden’s bid, accusing it of harboring Kurdish militants.

This is breaking news. More to track…