Russia will not ignore the expansion of potentially hostile military infrastructure along its borders, says Dmitry Peskov

Moscow never had any "problems" with the US-led military bloc's newest members, Finland and Sweden, but will respond to the expansion of NATO military infrastructure as it "deems necessary," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

Finland abandoned its longstanding policy of neutrality and became a NATO member in April 2023, citing security concerns over the Ukraine conflict. Sweden followed suit in 2024 under the same pretext. In response, Moscow vowed to adjust its defense posture in northwestern Russia, while repeatedly emphasizing that, unlike Ukraine, their accession did not pose an existential threat to Russia.

NATO military infrastructure has been "gradually appearing on Finnish territory" in recent years, Peskov said in an interview with French weekly Le Point published on Wednesday.

"How is Russia reacting? It takes measures to improve its security that our military deems necessary," he stated.

The Kremlin spokesman stressed that Russia never had "any problems" with Finland or Sweden joining NATO and has no intention of launching any attacks. "Fortunately, neither the Baltic countries nor Finland are firing at Russians from tanks and airplanes, in contrast to what has been happening in Donbass since 2014," Peskov added.

According to a NATO policy update published last month, the bloc is "continuing to integrate NATO's newest members - Finland and Sweden - into plans, forces, and command structures, including by developing a presence in Finland." Thedocumentspecifically praised Sweden for assuming the "framework nation role in the enhanced forward presence in Finland."

NATO Secretary General Mark Ruttesaidearlier this month that member states are also "working together" in the Arctic to "defend this part of NATO territory."

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the issue at the International Arctic Forum last month, saying Moscow has been "closely monitoring" the region and responding accordingly.

"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," Putin said.

He added that Russia has taken "an adequate response approach by increasing the combat capabilities of the armed forces and modernizing military infrastructure facilities."

(RT.com)