Russia threatens to retaliate over Finland´s NATO membership move

Russia on Thursday reacted sharply following the joint statement issued by President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin issued earlier on the day stating their positions in favour of Finland´s possible application for NATO membership.

Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement said the move would seriously damage bilateral relations, as well as security and stability in northern Europe.

The statement issued in Russian language described Finland's move as a radical change in the country's foreign policy.

"Finland's accession to NATO will cause serious damage to Russian-Finnish bilateral relations and maintaining stability and security in the Northern European region," said the statement.

"Russia will be forced to take retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature, in order to neutralise the threats to its national security that arise from this," the statement added.

The statement, however, did not specify about the steps and plans to be taken by Russia.

Niinistö and Marin in a joint statement stated their views in the morning saying that NATO membership would strengthen Finland's security and Finland must apply for the membership without delay.