Russia warns that joining NATO will make Sweden a ‘legitimate target’ for retaliatory measures 

Sweden has summoned Russia’s ambassador to Stockholm after he said the country and neighboring Finland would become “legitimate targets” after joining NATO.

The Russian ambassador in Stockholm said in a statement on the embassy’s website that the two Nordic countries would become “legitimate targets” of “retaliatory measures”, including “military ones”, after joining the international military alliance.

A spokesman for the Swedish Foreign Ministry confirmed that the ambassador would be summoned.

Sweden and Finland both sought NATO membership in 2022 shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and hope to complete the process this year.

“The Foreign Ministry will call on the Russian ambassador to make a clear statement against this blatant attempt to influence,” Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said.

Mr Billstrom added: ‘Sweden’s security policy is determined by Sweden – no one else.’

It was reported yesterday that Hungary is blocking Sweden’s entry into NATO over grievances over Stockholm’s criticism of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s policies, Hungary’s government spokesman said on Wednesday.

Bridging the gap will take effort from both sides, spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said.

Sweden and its neighbor Finland applied to join the NATO military alliance after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. But the process has been held up by Hungary and Turkey.

After months of dragging on from Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party, Hungary’s parliament passed a bill on Monday to allow Finland to join NATO, but the Swedish bill is still stalled.

“In the case of Sweden, there are a large number of grievances that need to be addressed before ratifying the country’s admission,” Kovacs said on his blog.

Swedish representatives “have repeatedly been keen to bash Hungary through diplomatic means and use their political clout to harm Hungarian interests,” he said, referring to Sweden’s criticism of Orbán’s government’s erosion of the rule of law in recent years. 13 years. Orban denies these allegations.

He said Stockholm had taken a “hostile attitude” towards Budapest for many years.

“Adding Ankara’s woes and grievances to the mix doesn’t leave much room for maneuver, at least not until the Swedes start to change their tune and help heal these lingering wounds,” Kovacs said.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said last week that the Turkish parliament would also start ratifying Finland’s accession. But it did not approve Sweden’s bid, accusing it of harboring Kurdish militants.

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