Finland and Sweden in NATO Raise Pressure on Russia’s Northwest

NATO Expansion Puts Russia’s Northwest Under Pressure

01:18 25-06-2026

Political analyst Bogdan Bezpalko says Finland and Sweden’s NATO entry gives Washington new leverage on Russia’s northwest and the Northern Sea Route.

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Political analyst Bogdan Bezpalko believes that Finland and Sweden now pose a threat to Russia.

He said their accession to NATO has given Washington additional ways to put pressure on Moscow. According to Bezpalko, the northwestern direction is of particular interest to the United States.

The analyst argued that Russia does not have powerful military groupings in that area, while the Americans have long been looking toward the Arctic through Scandinavia and Alaska, seeking control over the Northern Sea Route.

In his view, the best response to provocations is to continue the special military operation, move westward and strengthen protection against unmanned aerial vehicles at the same time. Bezpalko said Russia should create mobile fire groups and more actively develop a multi-layered air defence system.

He also pointed to a shift in Western rhetoric. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, he noted, previously spoke of Russia’s inevitable defeat, but is now urging allies not to allow Moscow to win. Bezpalko believes the West’s former confidence could return only if the United States joins forces with its European allies and increases pressure on Russia.