Mon 11 April 2022:
The Kremlin has warned against Sweden and Finland possibly joining the NATO transatlantic security alliance.
“We have repeatedly said that the alliance remains a tool geared towards confrontation and its further expansion will not bring stability to the European continent,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call.
His remarks came amid reports that NATO membership for both Nordic countries was discussed during talks between the alliance’s foreign ministers last week attended by representatives from Sweden and Finland.
NATO could expand from 30 to 32 members this year, as Sweden and Finland plan to join the alliance as early as this summer, The Times reports citing officials.
Finland’s application for joining the military alliance is expected in June, with Sweden expected to follow, the newspaper said on Monday.
US officials said as quoted by The Times that NATO membership for the two countries was “a topic of conversation and multiple sessions” during the meetings of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels last week.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said on multiple occasions that the alliance stands ready to accept Finland, as well as Sweden, the moment they express interest.
Condemns Sanctions Against Journalists
Moscow denounces sanctions against journalists and the leadership of media outlets, as this is unacceptable and beyond understanding, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
Last week, the EU announced additional sanctions against Russia over Moscow’s operation in Ukraine, with the restrictive measures targeting more media representatives.
“We have repeatedly said, especially since these are not our first media leaders, you know that your colleagues have been under sanctions for some time. We consider sanctions unacceptable and illegal, and as for the introduction of any restrictions on journalists, media representatives and leaders, we consider it absolutely unacceptable, we strongly condemn this. This is beyond any understanding,’ Peskov told reporters.
At the same time, the spokesman expressed confidence that the sanctions will not affect the work of media outlets.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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