Russia made a great strategic mistake, as a result Finland and Sweden are ready to join NATO this summer already. The Times reports citing US officials.
According to their information, Sweden and Finland membership were the topics of the meetings during the talks between the foreign affairs ministers of the alliance last week, to which representatives of both Scandinavian countries were invited.
Washington predicts Finland and Sweden will apply to join NATO this summer. This will widen the Alliance from 30 to 32 members and will force russian troops to stretch even further along the borders.
“What else can this be but a serious mistake by Putin?” - said a high-ranking American official.
It is expected Finland will apply to join an June and Sweden will follow.
NATO is developing a plan that will allow to repulse russian attacks in case of aggression, secretary general Jens Stoltenberg stated.