Russia has reiterated its objection to NATO's military expansion in the Nordic region, cautioning of a proportionate military response to the alliance's presence in Finland.
Speaking to reporters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia would take whatever steps its military deems necessary to reinforce its national security amid the ongoing NATO build-up. “How is Russia reacting? It takes measures to improve its security that our military deems necessary,” Peskov stated.
Finland, which ended its long-standing policy of neutrality in 2023, joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) citing growing security concerns. Sweden followed in 2024. While Moscow has consistently stated that their accession does not pose an existential threat, it maintains firm opposition to the alliance’s military infrastructure appearing on Finnish territory.
“NATO military infrastructure has been gradually appearing on Finnish territory in recent years,” Peskov noted. He, however, stressed that Moscow harbours no ill will towards the two Nordic nations.
“Fortunately, neither the Baltic countries nor Finland are firing at Russians from tanks and aeroplanes, in contrast to what has been happening in Donbass since 2014,” he added.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, speaking earlier this month, said the alliance was working to strengthen its defence cooperation in the Arctic. “Member states are also working together in the Arctic to defend this part of NATO territory,” Rutte said.
Experts believe NATO’s strategic posture in the Arctic and Black Sea regions is designed to curb Russian naval movement. Russia, in turn, has pledged a defensive recalibration.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing the International Arctic Forum last month, expressed concern over the region becoming a potential flashpoint. “We are, of course, concerned by the fact that NATO countries as a whole are more frequently designating the far north as a bridgehead for possible conflicts, practicing the use of troops in these conditions, including their new recruits from Finland and Sweden,” he said.
“We will respond by increasing the combat capabilities of the armed forces and modernising the military infrastructure facilities,” Putin added.
Moscow has already implemented several preventative measures in the Black Sea and Arctic regions, aimed at maintaining access and countering potential NATO encirclement.
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