Lavrov: Russia will take 'measures' if Sweden joins NATO
According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Moscow will respect any decision on the issue of Sweden’s ascension to NATO, but will "take the necessary military-technical measures" if the Nordic country does join the Alliance. Lavrov stated this in an interview with the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter on April 28th.
“It’s every country’s right to decide what form its security should take, but you must understand that if military infrastructure approaches Russia's borders, we would of course have to take the necessary military-technical measures. There’s nothing personal in it; it’s just business,” Lavrov stated.
When asked what specific measures Russia would take, the Foreign Minister said: “That’s not my job. It’s up to the military, the defense ministry, and the Russian general staff. When they see what potential there is at the other side of the border… then they know what capacity exists there and what can be expected if NATO suddenly decides to stop us in a ‘hot’ way.”
According to Lavrov, Russia is not interested in "stirring up any confrontational military activities" despite a turn toward "Russophobia" in the West.