Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia will respond if NATO begins to strengthen the military infrastructure of Sweden and Finland.
The two countries have decided to join the military alliance after the invasion of Ukraine, and this is the reason for Putin's reaction.
In a conversation with the leaders of the former Soviet states, Putin said that NATO enlargement was being used by the United States "aggressively" to worsen the global security situation, reports Reuters.
He has stated that Russia has never had problems with Sweden and Finland.
The Russian president added that there was no direct threat from NATO enlargement involving these countries.
Russia has provided little specific information on what it will do in response to NATO's Nordic enlargement.
Sweden has also joined Finland in their bid to join the alliance, due to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has stated that she does not want NATO nuclear weapons on Swedish territory.
Speaking at a press conference in Stockholm, Andersson said that Europe and Sweden are now living a new and dangerous reality. However, she has said that Sweden does not want permanent NATO military bases or nuclear weapons on its territory if its membership is approved.
"We are leaving one era and starting another," Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson told a news conference after announcing that the country would apply to join NATO.