Kremlin: Finland’s accession to NATO poses threat to Russia

Military personnel raise the flag of Finland during a flag raising ceremony on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, April 4, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

MOSCOW – Russia views Finland's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as an additional threat to Russia's national security, local media reported Wednesday, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Finland's membership does not contribute to strengthening stability and security on the European continent, Peskov noted, adding that it "obliges us to take necessary measures to rebalance the entire security system."

He pointed out that it is premature to discuss countermeasures and that Russia would do everything to ensure its security.

READ MORE: Finland joins NATO member as Russia vows countermeasures 

Finland formally became the 31st NATO member on Tuesday. At a ceremony dedicated to the occasion, Finland's President Sauli Niinisto said that "the era of military non-alignment" in the country's history has ended.