Russia has said there will be “no more talk of a nuclear–free Baltic” if Sweden and Finland join NATO.

Such a development would more than double the length of the military alliance’s land borders with Russia, Moscow added.

Sweden and Finland are reviewing their security arrangements following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Polls in both countries have shown support for joining NATO.

But the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, said Moscow would respond, were that to happen.

“There can be no more talk of any nuclear-free status for the Baltic – the balance must be restored,” he said.

“Until today, Russia has not taken such measures and was not going to.”

However, Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said Russia already has nuclear weapons in the Baltic region.

They have been deployed in Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave on the Baltic Sea since before the invasion of Ukraine began, Mr Anusauskas told the BNS news agency.

“The current Russian threats look quite strange when we know that, even without the present security situation, they keep the weapon 100 km from Lithuania’s border,” the minister said.

“Nuclear weapons have always been kept in Kaliningrad. The international community, the countries in the region, are perfectly aware of this. They use it as a threat.”

Mr Medvedev said that NATO admitting extra members would give Moscow “more officially registered opponents”.

Writing on Telegram, he claimed NATO was preparing to admit Finland and Sweden with “minimal bureaucratic procedures”.

Russia’s response should be considered with “no emotion, with a cold head”, he continued.

The Swedish and Finnish prime ministers, Magdalena Andersson and Sanna Marin, took part in a joint press conference in Stockholm on Wednesday.

Ms Marin said Finland was ready to make a decision on joining NATO “within weeks” following an extensive debate in the 200-seat Eduskunta legislature.

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