Russia might deliver into query the standing of the Åland Islands, an autonomous area of Finland, and the Saimaa Canal because the nation makes an attempt to affix NATO, based on experiences.

Russia's Everlasting Consultant to the European Union, Vladimir Chizhov, mentioned Finland's membership in NATO is the rationale this can turn out to be a problem, based on a RU Information 24 report.

"As for Finland, I instantly have a query on two features," the Russian information company RIA Novosti quoted Chizhov as saying, based on RU Information 24. He added: "That's, it leaves central Finland roughly to Vyborg. What's going to occur to this now? We'll should see."

Putin
Russia has cautioned Finland and Sweden beforehand on the prospect of becoming a member of NATO. Above, Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a gathering on transport advanced growth by way of a video hyperlink on the Bocharov Ruchei residence within the Black Sea resort metropolis of Sochi on Could 24, 2022.Mikhail Metzel/Getty Photos

Final week, Russian Deputy Overseas Minister Sergei Ryabkov reiterated that Russia wouldn't settle for Finland or Sweden becoming a member of NATO.

He made the feedback to reporters on Monday, relayed by means of state-owned information company TASS. He was discussing the information of Sweden's ruling occasion approving the nation's bid to affix NATO on Sunday, in addition to Finnish politicians calling for his or her nation to affix the alliance "immediately."

Nonetheless, Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the identical day, weakened the rhetoric of Russia's opposition to NATO enlargement.

"As for the enlargement [of NATO], together with by means of new members of the alliance—Finland, Sweden—Russia needs to tell you that it has no issues with these states," Putin mentioned whereas talking at a gathering in Moscow of leaders from the member international locations of the Collective Safety Treaty Group (CSTO), the Russia-backed navy alliance.

"Due to this fact, on this sense, enlargement on account of those international locations doesn't pose a direct risk to Russia," he mentioned.

Finland and Sweden have traditionally been non-aligned militarily. Sweden has notfought a battle in additional than 200 years, whereas Finland signed an settlement with the Soviet Union in 1948 that included Helsinki isolating itself militarily from Western Europe. Finland shares an 807-mile border with Russia and gained independence from the nation in 1917.

Finland has been rising its navy funds amid fears that Russia will retaliate after its Nordic neighbor introduced its want to apply to affix NATO.

Finland's bid to affix the 30-strong navy alliance comes amid rising safety issues throughout Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In an announcement issued on Friday, Finland's protection ministry mentioned that the federal government's second funds for 2022 will allocate round €669.4 million ($706.7 million) in extra funding to the Finnish navy, of which €176 million will probably be allotted to working bills and €490 million to fast-start protection tools procurement.

The federal government additionally introduced it intends to spend roughly €1.7 billion for the "longer-term procurement" of navy supplies between 2022-2027. It'll fund the acquisition of anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, fighter tools, artillery ammunition, subject upkeep materials and missiles for naval and air protection, the ministry mentioned.

Newsweek has contacted Russia's Overseas Affairs workplace for remark.

Replace 5/24/22, 8:43 a.m. EDT: This text has been up to date to offer extra background particulars.