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Russia’s reaction to Sweden’s NATO accession to depend on Stockholm’s steps — diplomat

Maria Zakharova also noted that Sweden had held no referendum on joining NATO

MOSCOW, March 13. /TASS/. Moscow’s reaction to Sweden’s accession to NATO will depend on what practical steps Stockholm takes, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the Sputnik radio station.

"Everything will depend on what specific practical steps the country takes to implement its NATO membership. There will be a reaction to specific steps," the diplomat pointed out.

Zakharova also noted that Sweden had held no referendum on joining NATO. "All decisions were made without any public discussion in Sweden, which would have made clear what people think," she said.

"Sweden’s NATO membership was simply documented through the signing of the relevant papers. However, Sweden had long been under NATO’s influence," Zakharova emphasized.

Hungary’s parliament approved Sweden’s accession to NATO on February 26. Hungary was the last NATO country to ratify Sweden’s NATO membership protocol. Stockholm and Helsinki were officially invited to join the alliance at a NATO summit in Madrid in June 2022. Sweden’s NATO accession protocol officially went into force on March 7.

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Foreign policy NATO Sweden Maria Zakharova

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