Russia has warned Finland and Sweden against joining Nato, arguing the move would not bring stability to Europe. {abc.com}
US officials expect the Nordic neighbours to bid for membership of the alliance, potentially as early as June.
Washington is believed to support the move which would see the Western alliance grow to 32 members. US State Department officials said last week that discussions had taken place between Nato leaders and foreign ministers from Helsinki and Stockholm.
Before it launched its invasion, Russia demanded that the alliance agree to halt any future enlargement, but the war has led to the deployment of more Nato troops on its eastern flank and a rise in public support for Swedish and Finnish membership.
Finland shares a 1,340km (830 miles) long border with Russia and has been rattled by the invasion of Ukraine.
And Sweden's ruling Social Democratic party, which has traditionally opposed Nato membership, said it is rethinking this position in light of Russia's attack on its western neighbour. Party secretary Tobias Baudin told local media that the Nato review should be complete within the next few months.
"When Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden's security position changed fundamentally," the party said in a statement on Monday.
But Moscow has been clear that it opposes any potential enlargement of the alliance. Mr Peskov warned the bloc "is not that kind of alliance which ensures peace and stability, and its further expansion will not bring additional security to the European continent".
Last week Mr Peskov said that Russia would have to "rebalance the situation" with its own measures were Sweden and Finland to join Nato.
And in February Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, warned of "military and political consequences" if the countries joined the bloc.
Nato was formed in 1949 to counter the threat of Soviet expansion, though since the fall of the Berlin wall a number of formerly communist eastern European countries have joined.
Member states agree to come to one another's aid in the event of an armed attack against any individual member state.
Despite the threats, both countries have pushed ahead with their bids and stepped up defence spending.
On Monday, army leaders in Helsinki announced a new plan to allocate €14m (£10.88m) to purchase drones for Finland's military.
And last month Swedish officials said they would boost defence spending by three billion kronas ($317m; £243m) in 2022.
{bbc.com}
My own opinion:
Russia isn’t behaving like a big brother, its aggressive unprovoked and unjustifed invasion of Ukraine, a sister nation sharing similar cultural heritage, under ever changing pretext, is a wake up call to whoever thought Russia brought peace and stability to the region, in light of what’s happening, Russia is best described as a rogue terrorist state intent on imposing its will on neighbouring nations with an overkill use of force not afraid to kill, rape and destroy the civilian population
Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, warned of "military and political consequences" if the countries joined the bloc! Maria warning is more like a threat making its message clear: do as you’re told or else expect tanks and missiles to reinforce our advice! sound typical of unsavoury terrorism to me
Russia has warned Finland and Sweden against joining Nato, arguing the move would not bring stability to Europe. {abc.com}
US officials expect the Nordic neighbours to bid for membership of the alliance, potentially as early as June.
Washington is believed to support the move which would see the Western alliance grow to 32 members. US State Department officials said last week that discussions had taken place between Nato leaders and foreign ministers from Helsinki and Stockholm.
Before it launched its invasion, Russia demanded that the alliance agree to halt any future enlargement, but the war has led to the deployment of more Nato troops on its eastern flank and a rise in public support for Swedish and Finnish membership.
Finland shares a 1,340km (830 miles) long border with Russia and has been rattled by the invasion of Ukraine.
And Sweden's ruling Social Democratic party, which has traditionally opposed Nato membership, said it is rethinking this position in light of Russia's attack on its western neighbour. Party secretary Tobias Baudin told local media that the Nato review should be complete within the next few months.
"When Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden's security position changed fundamentally," the party said in a statement on Monday.
But Moscow has been clear that it opposes any potential enlargement of the alliance. Mr Peskov warned the bloc "is not that kind of alliance which ensures peace and stability, and its further expansion will not bring additional security to the European continent".
Last week Mr Peskov said that Russia would have to "rebalance the situation" with its own measures were Sweden and Finland to join Nato.
And in February Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, warned of "military and political consequences" if the countries joined the bloc.
Nato was formed in 1949 to counter the threat of Soviet expansion, though since the fall of the Berlin wall a number of formerly communist eastern European countries have joined.
Member states agree to come to one another's aid in the event of an armed attack against any individual member state.
Despite the threats, both countries have pushed ahead with their bids and stepped up defence spending.
On Monday, army leaders in Helsinki announced a new plan to allocate €14m (£10.88m) to purchase drones for Finland's military.
And last month Swedish officials said they would boost defence spending by three billion kronas ($317m; £243m) in 2022.
{bbc.com}
My own opinion:
Russia isn’t behaving like a big brother, its aggressive unprovoked and unjustifed invasion of Ukraine, a sister nation sharing similar cultural heritage, under ever changing pretext, is a wake up call to whoever thought Russia brought peace and stability to the region, in light of what’s happening, Russia is best described as a rogue terrorist state intent on imposing its will on neighbouring nations with an overkill use of force not afraid to kill, rape and destroy the civilian population
Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, warned of "military and political consequences" if the countries joined the bloc! Maria warning is more like a threat making its message clear: do as you’re told or else expect tanks and missiles to reinforce our advice! sound typical of unsavoury terrorism to me