The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland hinted at Russia's involvement in the disruption of Sweden's accession to NATO

The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland hinted at Russia's involvement in the disruption of Sweden's accession to NATO

Finland's foreign minister has hinted that Russia may be involved in last week's Koran-burning protest that threatens to derail Sweden's entry into NATO.

 

 This is reported in a Bloomberg publication.

 

 Last week, far-right activist with dual Danish and Swedish citizenship, Rasmus Paludan, burned a holy book of Islam in central Stockholm. This forced Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to rule out support for Sweden's entry into NATO.

 

 According to Haavisto, Paludan's potential ties to Russia "were investigated and certain connections were found in his circle."

 

 In an interview with YLE TV1 on Saturday, Haavisto said the episode "raises the question that there is some third party - such as Russia - or some other party that opposes NATO membership and seeks provocations to achieve this goal." This cannot be forgiven."

 

 The Swedish government has not publicly commented on the connection between Paludan and Russia, but Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson this week noted "forces" that may want to prevent the country from joining the military alliance.

 

 "There are forces both inside and outside of Sweden that want to prevent Sweden from joining NATO," Kristersson said.

 

 Paludan himself said in a comment to the Swedish media that he was going to burn the Koran in front of the Turkish embassy "every Friday" until it stops blocking Sweden's entry into NATO.

 

 On January 27, Paludan burned the Koran in front of a mosque, the Turkish embassy and the Russian consulate in Copenhagen.

 

 Turkey and Hungary are the only two of NATO's 30 members that have not yet ratified the applications of Finland and Sweden. Erdogan's comments cast doubt on Sweden's prospects for joining the Alliance. With Turkey facing elections in mid-May, Erdogan is seeking to win the support of Turkey's religious conservatives.



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Finland's foreign minister has hinted that Russia may be involved in last week's Koran-burning protest that threatens to derail Sweden's entry into NATO.

 

 This is reported in a Bloomberg publication.

 

 Last week, far-right activist with dual Danish and Swedish citizenship, Rasmus Paludan, burned a holy book of Islam in central Stockholm. This forced Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to rule out support for Sweden's entry into NATO.

 

 According to Haavisto, Paludan's potential ties to Russia "were investigated and certain connections were found in his circle."

 

 In an interview with YLE TV1 on Saturday, Haavisto said the episode "raises the question that there is some third party - such as Russia - or some other party that opposes NATO membership and seeks provocations to achieve this goal." This cannot be forgiven."

 

 The Swedish government has not publicly commented on the connection between Paludan and Russia, but Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson this week noted "forces" that may want to prevent the country from joining the military alliance.

 

 "There are forces both inside and outside of Sweden that want to prevent Sweden from joining NATO," Kristersson said.

 

 Paludan himself said in a comment to the Swedish media that he was going to burn the Koran in front of the Turkish embassy "every Friday" until it stops blocking Sweden's entry into NATO.

 

 On January 27, Paludan burned the Koran in front of a mosque, the Turkish embassy and the Russian consulate in Copenhagen.

 

 Turkey and Hungary are the only two of NATO's 30 members that have not yet ratified the applications of Finland and Sweden. Erdogan's comments cast doubt on Sweden's prospects for joining the Alliance. With Turkey facing elections in mid-May, Erdogan is seeking to win the support of Turkey's religious conservatives.