Russia Threatens Sweden With Military 'Consequences' If It Joins NATO Alliance, Report Says

Russia Threatens Sweden With Military 'Consequences' If It Joins NATO Alliance, Report Says

Sweden will face military “consequences” if it decides to abandon its trademark neutrality and join the NATO alliance, Russian Ambassador Viktor Tatarintsev reportedly told a Swedish newspaper Thursday. Sweden has expressed growing concern in recent months amid a noticeable uptick in Russian military activity, both in Eastern Europe and in the waters off Sweden’s coast.

Russia’s annexation of Crimea last year and purported involvement in the eastern Ukraine conflict has led to calls in Sweden for increased cooperation with NATO. Tatarintsev told Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter that Russia does not pose a threat to Sweden’s security and accused Swedish media outlets of an “aggressive propaganda campaign” against the Kremlin, according to a translation by the Local. But the ambassador warned that the country’s entrance into NATO would provoke a military response.

“I don’t think it will become relevant in the near future, even though there has been a certain swing in public opinion. But if it happens there will be counter measures. Putin pointed out that there will be consequences, that Russia will have to resort to a response of a military kind and reorientate our troops and missiles. The country that joins NATO needs to be aware of the risks it is exposing itself to,” Tatarintsev told Dagens Nyheter. However, such a response would not take the immediate form of an attack, since "Sweden is not a target for our armed troops," Tatarintsev added.

Swedish officials have repeatedly accused Russian planes of threatening the country’s airspace, and several eastern European nations, including Sweden and Latvia, have suspected Russian submarines have entered their sovereign waters. Sweden’s military dispatched fighter jets in May to ward off Russian bombers that approached Swedish territory, Reuters reports.

Once again Russia actions force Sweden to reconsider its options with joining NATO and Russia gets pissed as a result. maybe if Russia didn't threaten its neighbors they would not be forced to look to NATO.

Putin made this mess and every complaint Russia has made is a DIRECT result of Putin's own actions.


Other Sources -
Russia Threatens War If Sweden Joins NATO

a reply to: Xcathdra

Putin has diarrhea of the mouth. He needs to settle his rhetoric. Someone needs to tell him the Soviet Union no longer exists and it's about time he gets over it.

a reply to: WeRpeons

Putin pointed out that there will be consequences, that Russia will have to resort to a response of a military kind and reorientate our troops and missiles.

That's the most Russia and Putin will do. They will station troops on the border and target Sweden with missiles laden with nukes.

By "military response", Moscow does not mean that it will attack Sweden and annex its land etc. There is no common Swiss border with Russia anyways so Moscow has the buffers that it wants. That buffer does not exist in Ukraine and hence the problems.

The question then arises that what will Moscow do if Finland joins the NATO? That would be really tricky scenario asking for more than pointing weapons and stationing the troops on the border areas.

a reply to: victor7

If Putin didn't act like an overly aggressive 5 year old asshat throwing a tempter tantrum these nations would not be looking at NATO.


Putin is Russia's worst enemy.

a reply to: Xcathdra

If the subject headline is right, this should be a "no brainer" for the Swedes.

originally posted by: WeRpeons
a reply to: Xcathdra

Putin has diarrhea of the mouth. He needs to settle his rhetoric. Someone needs to tell him the Soviet Union no longer exists and it's about time he gets over it.

Unfortunately, Putin wants to reverse history and restore the USSR to its full former glory (plus some). This is not just a rattling of the sabers, as some might suspect. Putin is deadly serious and will bully any neighbor into compliance. He doesn't want NATO at his doorstep.

a reply to: Xcathdra

In the event NATO fights with Russia, these little poodles will be the ones taking the most severe beating. Their stupid leaders should look at the "real issues and reasons" of various geopolitical points and then only decide.

Russia was all quiet till the time Nuland went on the "cookie tour" at the Maidan.

Historically, Russia does not attack others but reacts to the aggression. However, when it reacts, it overpowers and consumes the aggressor. NATO should take this fact in mind seriously.

a reply to: CIAGypsy

Unfortunately, Putin wants to reverse history and restore the USSR to its full former glory (plus some).

Don't think Putin is interested in taking the "welfare sponsorship" of economically ill former Soviet republics. Via Customs Union, an unofficial USSR set up is being sought and should work just fine in the post-communism age, where world leaders have "finally" understood that economic might is a prequisite to the military power.

No one, except for North Korea and few others wants to go in the direction of committing 50%+ of national budget to military power.

a reply to: victor7

Sweden needs to spend more money on weapons and the plebs need to be conditioned in thinking it's necessary.

originally posted by: victor7
a reply to: Xcathdra

In the event NATO fights with Russia, these little poodles will be the ones taking the most severe beating. Their stupid leaders should look at the "real issues and reasons" of various geopolitical points and then only decide.

Russia has about 16th the population of NATO, and considerably less GDP and industry - this is not WW1 or WW2 when Russia had the massive population.

Historically, Russia does not attack others but reacts to the aggression.

Unless you are Turkey, Poland, Finland, Ukraine, Georgia, a central Asian Khanate, any Baltic State, (all of these before 1950 ...), or Ukraine in the 2010's

a reply to: Aloysius the Gaul

Russia has about 16th the population of NATO, and considerably less GDP and industry - this is not WW1 or WW2 when Russia had the massive population.

Russia also has allies which can help account for manpower and economic weight. Russia's allies know that if the RusLand is busted, then they will be the next on the chopping block.

Foolish west needs to spend resources in finding out the Jihadist killers within its populations rather then overbudgeting the "cookie handouts" in the foreign lands.

originally posted by: victor7
a reply to: Aloysius the Gaul

Russia has about 16th the population of NATO, and considerably less GDP and industry - this is not WW1 or WW2 when Russia had the massive population.

Russia also has allies which can help account for manpower and economic weight. Russia's allies know that if the RusLand is busted, then they will be the next on the chopping block.

Foolish west needs to spend resources in finding out the Jihadist killers within its populations rather then overbudgeting the "cookie handouts" in the foreign lands.

Russia barely has friends much less allies. Ukraine and Belarus used to be close allies but.... well you how that has gone. Everything that is happening to Russia is of its own doing. That is why they have found no support in its disaster in the Ukraine. And it is Russia that should be worried about internal Jihad problems instead wasting money and lives messing about it in its border states.

ISIS largest amount of recruits in Syria come from Russia, over 2000 so far. Russia has let go even though it could stop them, to fight it so called friend Assad instead of fighting them at home. Russia's elite professional units have been stripped from the Caucuses and sent to Ukraine. The Emirate Caucasus Russia's former foe in the area is nearly dead, and Russia barely has control in the region. Take a wild guess who is stepping into that power vacuum. The very same people who find recruiting so easy there are now claiming the area and setting up shop.

With the terrible state of Russia's military it might need to call for help from the very people it has been threatening.

Do any of you Americans even remember why you blocked of Cuba? Why you chose to make life difficult and practically drove them to perpetual poverty?

Do any of you Americans remember why you invaded Grenada?

Because you didn't want them commie bastards close enough to be a threat (???)

Does it then surprise you that Russia might think the same about those capitalist pigs?

a reply to: MrSpad

All the questions about friend and allies is your opinion only. That does not mean it is right. Russia is not seeking global support in Ukraine. It has that support when or if the situation demands so.

Regarding Russians joining ISIS and going overseas........that is a good diversion by sending troublemakers to meet the 72 virgins. Russia is not facing any Jihadist problems otherwise there would be several attacks every now and then.

Russian elite forces and regulars are not in Ukraine. However, when the need arises like in Iloviask and Debaltsevo, these units are sent across the border to make an impact.

psssssst...........keep this secret to yourself only...........ISIS is infact a KGB/FSB creation ;-)

My response to the Russian Ambassador would be a straight right to the nose!

a reply to: victor7

Russia has no global support for its invasion of Ukraine / occupation of Crimea. Even China did not support those moves in the UN and has consistently stated in UNSC meetings the territorial integrity of Ukraine must be respected.

The 5 other countries / groups that support Russia aren't important enough to matter, to be blunt and are only supporting Russia's actions because they don't like the west.

As for your claim about ISIS and jihadists you seem to be overlooking Chechnya and Dagestan, where there have been recent attacks on Russia rule by the jihadist forces there. The current leader of Chechnya will only remain loyal to Putin for so long until he is forced to choose between Russia and his religion. Ordering his security services to shoot Russian police on sight if they are caught in Chechnya without approval should be a red flag as to where that mess is going to end up.

Russian Spetnaz / GRU forces are in fact involved in Ukraine, as are active duty full time military units from Russia so your claim elite forces / regular forces are not in Ukraine is not accurate at all. As I have stated before if 5k members of the US 101st air assault go on vacation to Russia with their equipment / weapons I doubt Russia would accept the US position that no Us forces are in Russia.

As for ISIS being a KGB/FSB creation - based on Isis brutality and asshattery I could see a link being present.

originally posted by: Sunwolf
My response to the Russian Ambassador would be a straight right to the nose!

I am waiting on the modern day Cuba embargo UNSC meeting, where the Russian Ambassador denies their involvement only to be called out with photos and evidence showing the lie Russia is pushing.

This is how Russian Ambassador Churkin is coming across in the UN -

a reply to: Xcathdra

Russia Threatens Sweden With Military 'Consequences' If It Joins NATO Alliance, Report Says.

Why is Sweden going to join NATO anyway?? They have always tried to maintain their neutral stance in the internal community.

Have they they lent on or threatened by somebody with enormous financial and economic weapons power by somebody and if so who might that be? Doesn't sound like it would Russia to me.

Why is it that when supporting Washington is a bad idea for western Europe, particularity when we are all threatened by the possibility of WWIII, would Sweden want to place their Independence posture which has brought them peace and security since WW1, in jeopardy now?

Smells like somebody is threatening them with a Grease like future if they don't Join NATO, to me

originally posted by: Azureblue
Have they they lent on or threatened by somebody with enormous financial and economic weapons power by somebody and if so who might that be? Doesn't sound like it would Russia to me.

Actually, it has been Russia. With violations of airspace and encroachment by submarines, they have been threatened by Russia for quite some time. Russia should not be surprised that it's actions push nations into NATO.

originally posted by: Azureblue
Smells like somebody is threatening them with a Grease like future if they don't Join NATO, to me

Grease like future? What all slippery and hard to hang on to?

(I know you meant Greece but I fail to see the relevance - Greece has been a NATO member since 1952)