MOSCOW, December 4 – RIA Novosti. In an interview with the agency, it was stated that the key factor that prompted Finland to apply to NATO was the alleged nuclear threats from Russia following the launch of a special military operation. Kyodo Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto.

According to him, with the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, “the real security situation in Europe has changed.”

In May, Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO against the backdrop of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine. Except for Turkey and Hungary, 28 of the 30 member countries of the alliance made a positive decision about membership.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the West has crossed every line in its anti-Russian policy and its constant threats to Moscow. The president stressed that nuclear blackmail is being used by Washington. At the same time, he reminded that Russia has outstripped foreign military equipment in some components, warning that those trying to threaten with nuclear weapons “could turn the windmill in their own direction”.

The Kremlin has repeatedly stated that Moscow has no plans to use nuclear weapons. Putin stressed that there can be no winners of nuclear war. Those who are against Russia should know that Russia has such weapons, but Moscow does not threaten anyone,” he said.