Thursday 12 May 2022 11:17 PM Russia accuses Finland of 'pushing above its weight' if it decides to join NATO trends now
Russia has accused Finland of 'pushing above its weight' as the country signalled its intention to join NATO.
Putin's EU ambassador vowed to bolster defences on the Russia and Finland's shared 800-mile-long border if it decided to join the alliance.
Vladimir Chizhov said if Finland joined it would lead to 'certain military-technical measures, like improving or raising the degree of defence preparations along the Finnish border'.
A move would 'certainly necessitate rethinking of Russian defence posture' but not 'necessarily [involve] troops and tanks, but certain preparations like radars, perhaps', he told Sky News.
Reservists of the Karelia Brigade at a shooting practice during a defence exercise in Taipalsaari near Lappeenranta and close to the border with Russia, south-eastern Finland
Putin's EU ambassador Vladimir Chizhov (pictured today) said if Finland joined NATO it would lead to 'certain military-technical measures, like improving or raising the degree of defence preparations along the Finnish border'
A Leopard battle tank of the Armoured Brigade is seen during the Army mechanised exercise Arrow 22 exercise at the Niinisalo garrison in Kankaanp'', Western Finland, on May 4
Finnish soldiers take part in the Army mechanised exercise Arrow 22 exercise at the Niinisalo garrison in Kankaanpaa, Finland, May 4
Finland's President Sauli Niinisto makes a point during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, Wednesday, May 11
Today, Finland announced it intends to start the formal application process to join the military pact, more than doubling NATO's presence on Russia's borders from 754 miles to 1,584 miles.
The decision is a spectacular backfire for despot Vladimir Putin, who invaded Ukraine in part through fears of Volodymyr Zelensky joining the US-led alliance.
It came as over the past 10 days, soldiers from Albania, France, Greece, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, the UK and the US have taken part in the exercises in North Macedonia, which have included parachute jumps at several locations around the country.
NATO has put on a show of strength in Europe in a message to Vladimir Putin as 10,000 soldiers from 19 nations take part in war games across the continent
Italian paratroopers parachute after jumping from C-130 aircraft in today's NATO drills
British soldiers participate in an exercise as NATO allied troops carry out Swift Response 22 exercises during a media open day at Krivolak army base, North Macedonia
A British Chinook helicopter transports a howitzer and a truck during the Swift Response 22 military exercise
Soldiers take part in the NATO military exercise 'Flaming Sword 2022' at a training range near the village Maisiejunai
NATO forces' U.S. AH-64 Apache helicopters fly by during the NATO exercise 'Swift Respone 22' at the Krivolak Army Training Area, near Negotino
Recent exercises involved around soldiers from North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Greece, Italy, as well as France, the UK and the US
British soldiers prepare for Swift Response 22 exercises carried out by NATO allied troops
North Macedonia formally joined NATO in March 2020. The small Balkan country of 1.8million people has an active military of about 8,000 personnel.
The purpose of the exercises is to showcase the ability for large ground combat operations for member states and allies.
Earlier, Russian state TV accused the US of erecting a 'new iron curtain' in Europe in a furious response to Finland announcing its intention to join NATO.
The 'Swift Response 22' exercises involve forces from the US, Britain, France, Italy and other allied nations and are taking place against the backdrop of Russian aggression against perceived Western expansion
NATO exercise 'Swift Response 22' is part of the exercise 'DEFENDER EUROPE 22' at the Krivolak Army Training Area
British soldiers attend the NATO exercise 'Swift Response 22' at the Krivolak Army Training Area, near Negotino
Spain's F-18 jet fighter takes part in the NATO military exercise 'Flaming Sword 2022' at a training
