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Russia’s response to Finland’s decision to join NATO will be "a surprise," MFA says

The decision will be made after taking into consideration the whole set of factors, Maria Zakharova specified

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. Moscow’s response to Helsinki’s decision to join NATO will be a "surprise" and will be taken primarily by the military after taking into account the entire set of factors and specifics that will be typical of Finland’s membership in the North Atlantic Alliance, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Wednesday.

When asked by a Finnish reporter about the military-technical measures and the timeframe Russia plans to take against Finland due to its application for NATO membership, the diplomat said that "it will be a surprise."

"This [question] is for our Defense Ministry. The decision will be made after taking into consideration the whole set of factors and details of how Finland’s membership in NATO will progress. Based on all those parameters, a decision will be made, but first and foremost by the military," Zakharova stressed.

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Russian Foreign Ministry NATO Finland Maria Zakharova

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