Putin calls Finland, Sweden's plan to join NATO "potential security threat"

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed with the permanent members of the Security Council the "special operation" of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine, as well as "potential security threats" due to the decision of Finland and Sweden to join NATO, press secretary of the head of state Dmitry Peskov said, Interfax reports.

According to him, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu informed the participants of the meeting about the course of the "special operation".

"An exchange of views took place on the topic of the decision of Finland and Sweden to join NATO and the potential threats to Russia's security arising in this regard," Peskov continued and added that issues related to the upcoming CSTO summit were also discussed.

The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Head of the Kremlin Administration Anton Vaino, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin and Special Presidential Envoy for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov.

Opening the meeting, Putin announced that it would be held without a predetermined agenda, and suggested that the participants "exchange operational information on current issues - each in his own way."
"Let's talk, assess the situation, there will be something to talk about," he added.