Image of Maria Zakharova during her speech on Friday. She appeared to issue a warning to Sweden and Finland over the possibility of joining NATO. Sky News
Maria Zakharova held a press conference on Friday and reflected on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the intentions of Russia going forward.
A clip of her speech has begun to go viral on social media as she appears to issue a threat aimed at Sweden and Finland, saying it would have "serious military-political repercussions." The video has amassed over 300,000 views.
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"Finland and Sweden should not base their security damaging the security of other countries," Zakharova said during the press conference.
"Clearly [the] accession of Finland and Sweden into NATO, which is first and foremost a military alliance, would have serious military-political repercussions that would demand a response from our country," she said.
This comes after Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the country was receiving support from both nations.
"Discussed with [Finnish President Sauli Niinistö] countering the aggressor. Informed about our defense, insidious shelling of Kyiv," he wrote in a tweet on Friday.
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"Building an anti-Putin coalition together."
The Twitter pages of the Finnish president and Swedish prime minister condemned Russia after hearing the news of the invasion of Ukraine.
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"I strongly condemn the military measures Russia has started in Ukraine," Niinistö wrote in a tweet on Thursday.
"Russia's acts target Ukraine, but at the same time they are an attack on the entire European security order.
"We feel deep compassion towards Ukraine and are seeking ways to increase our support to Ukraine."
On Thursday, Andersson's Twitter page issued a similar statement and highlighted the importance of other European leaders responding robustly.
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