'No problems, none': Putin appears to back off threats as Sweden, Finland prepare to join NATO

[Eugene]

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

‘No problems, none’: Putin appears to back off threats as Sweden, Finland prepare to join NATO

By Simon Johnson and Natalia Zinets
May 17, 2022 — 5.18am

Stockholm/Kyiv: Vladimir Putin has appeared to climb down from Russia’s objections to Sweden and Finland joining NATO, saying Moscow had no issues with them entering the US-led military alliance they now aim to join in reaction to his invasion of Ukraine.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson on Monday (AEST) formally announced the decision to seek NATO membership, upending 200 years of neutrality and nonalignment. Sweden joins Finland in seeking to apply for membership in the NATO defence bloc.

She warned that the Nordic country would be in a “vulnerable position” during the application period and urged her fellow citizens to brace themselves for the Russian response.

However, Putin has reacted by saying NATO’s expansion itself was not a threat. He had previously warned that Moscow would take action if NATO were to move more troops or hardware onto the territory of its new members - steps Finland and Sweden have both already ruled out.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/no-problems-none-putin-appears-to-back-off-threats-as-sweden-finland-prepare-to-join-nato-20220517-p5alvv.html

[Lovie777]

1. He could be getting some opposition from . . .

other former USSR countries. I believe Kazakhstan is one of them.

[Texaswitchy]

2. Because he a bully .

What is Putin going to do.

NATO would wipe out the Russian Army I'm a few days.

And he knows it.

Good for Sweden and Finland.

[Deuxcents]

3. He's all blow n no go..

The big boogie man has been exposed n soon to be deposed.

[speak easy]

4. Afraid of death.

This is a guy who sits at the end of a 30 foot table.

[CentralMass]

5. +1