OREANDA-NEWS. Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia will strengthen its western borders if Sweden and Finland join NATO.

“If Sweden and Finland join NATO, the length of the land borders of the alliance with the Russian Federation will more than double. Naturally, these boundaries will have to be strengthened. Seriously strengthen the grouping of ground forces and air defense, deploy significant naval forces in the waters of the Gulf of Finland. In this case, it will no longer be possible to talk about any non-nuclear status of the Baltic, ”he wrote in the Telegram channel.

Medvedev added that earlier Russia was not going to take such measures.

According to him, the opinion of the citizens of Sweden and Finland on the issue of the need to join NATO was equally divided.

Earlier, the media reported that against the backdrop of hostilities in Ukraine, Sweden and Finland may apply to join NATO.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said the country's parliament would discuss NATO membership next week. It also became known that Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson plans to apply for NATO membership in June this year.

Finland is expected to present a report on the country's security policy this week. According to CNN, the document will start a discussion in Parliament on whether to seek membership in the alliance. Marin expressed hope to resolve the issue before mid-summer.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said on Monday that it is important for Helsinki to follow this process together with Sweden.

Earlier it became known that Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson plans to apply for NATO membership in June this year.

In turn, the Aftonbladet newspaper reported that the leadership of the ruling party will hold a special meeting on May 24, at which the position on the country's membership in the North Atlantic Alliance will be discussed.