Deputy Foreign Minister: Russia not to accept accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that NATO "should have no illusions" that Russia's reaction will follow the accession of Sweden and Finland to the North Atlantic Alliance.

He also described NATO's expansion to the north as a "mistake with far-reaching consequences," Kommersant reports. 

"And in what form we will ensure our security after changing this general NATO configuration is a separate question. It will depend on practical result from the expected accession of Finland and Sweden to the North Atlantic Alliance," Mr. Ryabkov told reporters. 

In his opinion, due to the decision taken by Finland and Sweden, the "general level of military tension" will increase, and "predictability in this area will become less." He added that the security of the countries "will not be strengthened as a result of this decision," describing the situation as "a reflection of an absolutely false and distorted perception of what is happening in the world."