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Russia says Finnish entry to NATO poses threat to which it will respond

The Channel News Asia reported, citing media outlets, Russia said on Thursday (May 12) that Finland's bid to join NATO was a hostile move that "definitely" posed a threat to its security.
The Kremlin said it would respond but declined to spell out how, saying this would depend on how close NATO moves military assets towards the 1,300km Finnish-Russian frontier.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Russia would need to take "retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature, in order to stop threats to its national security arising".
It said: "Helsinki must be aware of the responsibility and consequences of such a move."

The Finnish move, which Sweden is expected to replicate, confronts President Vladimir Putin with the very outcome he said his war in Ukraine was designed to prevent - a further expansion of NATO to Russia's borders.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "Finland joined the unfriendly steps taken by the European Union towards our country. This cannot fail to arouse our regret, and is a reason for corresponding symmetrical responses on our side."
Finland's president and prime minister said earlier on Thursday their country must apply to join the NATO military alliance "without delay".
UK strikes new security agreement with Sweden and Finland
Asked whether this presented a threat to Russia, Peskov said: "Definitely. NATO expansion does not make our continent more stable and secure."
Russia's war has led both Finland and Sweden to move towards abandoning their long-held neutrality and seeking the shelter of the alliance's security umbrella.
Asked what form Russia's response would take, Peskov replied: "Everything will depend on how this (NATO) expansion process plays out, the extent to which military infrastructure moves closer to our borders."
Finland and Sweden to begin NATO application in May, local media reports
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of the powerful Security Council, has previously spoken about potentially stationing nuclear-armed missiles in the Russian territory of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea.
Peskov was also asked about comments from Medvedev on Thursday that increasing military support by the United States and its allies for Ukraine risked triggering a conflict between Russia and NATO, with a potential risk of nuclear war.
Russia would deploy nuclear weapons if Sweden and Finland join NATO
He replied that everyone wanted to avoid a direct clash between Russia and NATO, but also repeated a warning from Putin that Moscow was ready to deal "the most decisive response" to anyone who tried to interfere with what it calls its special military operation in Ukraine.
Source: cna
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Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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