Finland's ambition to apply for NATO membership is "definitely" a threat to Russia and would trigger retaliatory steps, the Kremlin has said.
Finland's president has said his country - which borders Russia - needs to apply to join the military alliance "without delay".
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that would "definitely" be judged a direct threat to his country.
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"NATO expansion does not make our continent more stable and secure. This cannot fail to arouse our regret, and is a reason for corresponding symmetrical responses on our side," he said.
Russia's foreign ministry said NATO's aim was to expand towards its borders and warned it would have to take "retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature".
Mr Peskov added: "Everything [further action by Russia] will depend on how this process of expansion will look like in the future, how far the military infrastructure will move, how much closer to our borders."
Finnish politicians have also been warned that Russia could stop its gas supplies to Finland on Friday, according to newspaper Iltalehti.
The paper cited unnamed sources and did not specify where the warning came from.
Finnish president Sauli Niinisto earlier made a joint statement on NATO with the country's prime minister, Sanna Marin.
They said: "We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days.
"Now that the moment of decision-making is near, we state our equal views, also for information to the parliamentary groups and parties.
"NATO membership would strengthen Finland's security. As a member of NATO, Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance.
"Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay."
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg later said Finland would be welcomed if they decide to join, adding the accession would be "smooth and swift".
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told MSNBC that it would not be difficult to integrate the country into NATO.
Since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, Finland has increased its cooperation with the alliance as one of its "partner" nations.
However, it has not joined in order to maintain good relations with its much-larger eastern neighbour.
The government and parliament in Finland is expected to give approval to the decision shortly.
'A new kind of North'
The announcement means Finland is virtually certain to seek membership, though a few steps remain before the application process can begin.
Neighbouring Sweden is expected to decide on joining NATO in the coming days.
Last month, Mr Niinisto - who heads foreign policy in the country - told newspaper Ilta-Sanomat: "If it happens, as it looks likely, that Finland and Sweden will join (NATO), then it will create a new kind of North for us, one that is responsible, stable and strong."
Support for the move has changed rapidly since Russia invaded Ukraine - with the latest poll by public broadcaster YLE showing 76% of Finns in favour and only 12% against.
The prime minister's official spokesperson told reporters: "Obviously, they are now in the early stages of democratic consultations and we fully support and welcome that NATO is a defensive organization. And we support 100% any country's democratic wish to join.
"I think it shows how democratic countries are further joining together as a direct consequence of Putin's illegal invasion.
"It shows and only further illustrates the futility of the actions that he has taken and that he is not achieving by any measure, his aims, not least of which is reported on to push back on NATO.
RUSSIA'S WAR IN UKRAINE TRIGGERS SEISMIC SHIFT IN EUROPE'S SECURITY
A new security chapter is opening in Europe - one that will require governments not just to say their top priority is the defence of their nation but to prove it with actions and investment.
Russia's war in Ukraine has triggered this seismic shift, doing more to galvanise the NATO defence alliance than any event since its foundation more than 70 years ago - including through the entirety of the Cold War.
It is why two, historically neutral European countries, Finland and Sweden, look set to request membership to the club in defiance of warnings from Moscow - a stunning change in foreign and defence policy.
Finland's leaders on Thursday said their country should apply "without delay".
It was an eagerly-awaited statement of intent that signals a formal application could come within days.
The altered landscape also explains why the UK has just signed new security pacts with both Nordic states, guaranteeing to come to their defence should either be attacked.
This pledge already draws Helsinki and Stockholm closer to the blanket of collective security provided by NATO even before any formal move to accede to the 30-member club.
Such moves would have been unthinkable barely six months ago, with Finland and Sweden carefully balancing their relations with Western allies and with their vast Russian neighbour.
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"The only aggression that actually was enacted was the illegal invasion. I think we are seeing countries taking steps to ensure that they are protected and working more closely with other like-minded democratic countries."
It comes after the UK agreed defence pacts with both Finland and Sweden.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Stockholm and Helsinki to sign the agreements this week.
The agreements say the UK will come to the aid of both countries if they are attacked, and vice-versa.
The Kremlin earlier warned of "military and political repercussions" if Sweden and Finland decide to join the alliance but Mr Johnson made clear he would back Sweden's accession.
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2022-05-12 14:08:46Z
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