Russia warns Finland, Sweden against joining NATO, raises nuclear threat

Russia vowed Thursday that if Finland and Sweden join NATO, Moscow would bolster its troop presence and deploy nuclear weapons around the Baltic region.

Finland, which shares an 830-mile border with Russia, and Sweden, located across the Baltic Sea, have been open about their interest in joining the 30-member Atlantic alliance after Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded neighboring Ukraine Feb. 24.

The Nordic countries are currently non-aligned militarily but their leaders have said they would make a decision about joining NATO in the coming weeks.

Russia warns Finland, Sweden against joining NATO, raises nuclear threat

​Russia vowed Thursday that if Finland and Sweden join NATO, Moscow would bolster its troop presence and deploy nuclear weapons around the Baltic region. ​​

Russia vowed Thursday that if Finland and Sweden join NATO, Moscow would bolster its troop presence and deploy nuclear weapons around the Baltic region.