A Russian lawmaker said on Wednesday the Finnish government would be signing off on “the destruction of their country” if they tried to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance.
In remarks shared by the Russian-state media station RIA Novosti, Russian lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov said Finland would be making a “strategic mistake” by joining NATO.
“If the leadership of Finland goes for it, it will be a strategic mistake,” Dzhabarov said, adding, “The Finns themselves will sign a card for the destruction of their country.”
Dzhabarov — who is a member of the upper house of Russia’s legislature, the Federation Council and serves on its foreign relations committee — said, “Finland, which has been successfully developing all these years thanks to close trade and economic ties with Russia, would become a target. I think it (would be) a terrible tragedy for the entire Finnish people.”
Dzhabarov said he anticipates Finnish officials will explore the idea of joining NATO, but ultimately will be “pragmatic and intelligent” enough not to follow through with the idea.
Dzhabarov positioned Sweden as an exemplar for Finland, noting the neighboring Scandinavian country has maintained a neutral status and has avoided joining NATO while continuing to share relations with NATO-allied countries.
“Sweden is a self-sufficient country that feels comfortable in Europe,” Dzhabarov said.
