US works with Finland to create bases on Russian border

 Telegraph:

The US will gain access to 15 military bases along the border with Russia under a defence deal to be signed with Finland next week.

Russia would regard the presence of Nato infrastructure near its borders as a threat, said Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman.

“This will certainly lead to tension. We can only regret this,” Mr Peskov said.

The treaty must be approved by Finland’s parliament.

Elina Valtonen, the country’s foreign minister, will be present in Washington during the signing to meet Antony Blinken, the United States secretary of state.

Washington signed a similar pact with Sweden on Dec 6 that gives the US access to 17 military bases.

Concerns raised by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 led both Finland and Sweden to abandon their military non-alignment and apply for membership in the Nato.

Finland joined in April, while Sweden is still waiting for its bid to be ratified by Nato members Hungary and Turkey.
‘There were no problems’ with Finland

The Kremlin said: “We had excellent relations with Finland. No one threatened anyone, there were no problems or complaints against each other. No one infringed on anyone’s interests, there was mutual respect.

“But now, when Finland is a Nato member and Nato’s military infrastructure will already enter Finnish territory, this will pose an obvious threat to us.”

Finland is due to sign a defence co-operation agreement with the US on Monday.

Nato has warned in recent days that if Ukraine loses the war, Russia will attack other neighbouring countries.
...

NATO is a defensive alliance.  As long as Russia does not attack a NATO member, there is little likelihood that Russia will ever be attacked by a member of NATO. 

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