NATO Expansion Sparks Concerns and Speculations in Russia, Turkey, and Beyond

A Russian military expert on state TV has warned that Finland's recent admittance to NATO poses a threat to Russia, as the country possesses a "serious military force." Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of National Defense, cautioned that Moscow should be more concerned about the Finnish military than the potential of the US to place nuclear weapons in the country. Finland officially became the 31st country to join NATO this week, a major setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has said one of the Ukraine war's objectives is to prevent expansion of the military alliance on Russia's borders.