Sweden and Finland found themselves dragged into Russia’s stand-off with Nato after Moscow threatened retaliation if the two Nordic nations became full members of the US-led alliance.
Russia said there would be “serious military and political consequences” if the two EU countries — which carry out training exercises with Nato — joined it.
It is the latest in a series of demands issued by Moscow as Western leaders try to persuade it to step back from its military build-up on Ukraine’s border.
Although keeping Ukraine out of Nato is Russia’s main priority, its proposed new security treaty with the West would also prevent any enlargement into the Nordic nations which are outside its ex-Soviet sphere of influence.
“Russia regards the traditional policy of non-participation in military alliances pursued by Sweden and Finland as an important factor in ensuring stability in northern Europe,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
While the two countries are officially non-aligned and neither is currently seeking Nato membership, both have rejected Russia’s demand that the Kremlin should have a veto on the issue.
Ann Linde, Sweden’s foreign minister, said Russia’s desired treaty would “reduce the opportunities to make independent political choices”.
“We must have a rules-based world order, where we have international law and each country has the right to make its own security policy choice,” she said. Finland said it would keep its options open.
Russia and the US will hold high-stakes talks in early January after weeks of tensions linked to Moscow’s troop movements near Ukraine.
The talks will take place in Geneva, where US President Joe Biden met Russia’s Vladimir Putin for a tense summit in June, Moscow confirmed on Tuesday.
The Kremlin denies intending to invade Ukraine, but the West has warned of heavy economic sanctions if it breaches its neighbour’s territory.
Moscow made the unusual move of publishing draft treaties on a potential security deal — although Washington immediately signalled that some of Russia’s demands were unacceptable.
These included a ban on any future expansion of Nato, with only Ukraine mentioned by name, but others such as Finland and Sweden also covered.
Sweden and Finland are officially known as “enhanced opportunities partners” to Nato, and benefit from regular consultations, joint exercises and information-sharing.
Finland this month ordered $11 billion worth of F-35 fighters from US warplane manufacturer Lockheed Martin. President Sauli Niinisto told his counterpart Mr Biden that he appreciated the door to Nato being kept open.
Last year, Swedish MPs last year voted in favour of keeping potential Nato membership as an option, although Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said last month that Stockholm would maintain its non-aligned stance.
Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg visited the two countries in October and praised their co-operation with the alliance in the face of Russia’s “aggressive posturing and its military build-up”.
Francois Heisbourg, a European affairs expert at the International Institute for Security Studies, said Moscow’s move could backfire if it pushed the two nations closer to joining Nato.
“Before this warning, there was no serious prospect of Finland and Sweden joining Nato,” he said. “Now Russian pressure is making it difficult to pursue this policy.”
UAE%20athletes%20heading%20to%20Paris%202024
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
ALL THE RESULTS
Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmomdov (TJK) bt Rey Nacionales (PHI) by decision.
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) bt Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR) by submission.
Catch 74kg
Omar Hussein (JOR) bt Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) by decision.
Strawweight (Female)
Seo Ye-dam (KOR) bt Weronika Zygmunt (POL) by decision.
Featherweight
Kaan Ofli (TUR) bt Walid Laidi (ALG) by TKO.
Lightweight
Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) bt Leandro Martins (BRA) by TKO.
Welterweight
Ahmad Labban (LEB) bt Sofiane Benchohra (ALG) by TKO.
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR) no contest.
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) bt Glen Ranillo (PHI) by TKO round 1.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) bt Aidan Aguilera (AUS) by TKO round 1.
Welterweight
Mounir Lazzez (TUN) bt Sasha Palatkinov (HKG) by TKO round 1.
Featherweight title bout
Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) by KO round 1.
Indika
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
Size: 14
Funding: $1.7m from HNIs
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Racecard
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Hobbies: Salsa dancing “It's in my blood” and listening to music in different languages
Favourite place to travel to: “Thailand, as it's gorgeous, food is delicious, their massages are to die for!”
Favourite food: “I'm a vegetarian, so I can't get enough of salad.”
Favourite film: “I love watching documentaries, and am fascinated by nature, animals, human anatomy. I love watching to learn!”
Best spot in the UAE: “I fell in love with Fujairah and anywhere outside the big cities, where I can get some peace and get a break from the busy lifestyle”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
