The Scandinavian countries are likely to join now in response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and growing aggression in Eastern Europe.
The process could now continue after Turkey lifted its veto to prevent their membership as the three nations entered into an agreement to protect each other’s security.
Speaking in Turkmenistan, the Russian president said: “With Sweden and Finland we do not have the problems we have with Ukraine. They want to join NATO, continue.
“But they must understand that before there was no threat, while now, as military contingents and infrastructure are deployed there, we will have to respond in kind and create the same threats for the areas from which threats are created for us.”
Putin suggested that relations between Moscow, Helsinki and Stockholm would crumble once they became NATO members.
He added: ‘Everything was right between us, but now there may be some tension, there will definitely be.
“It is inevitable if there is a threat to us.”
The Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, which they still refer to as a “special military operation”, began more than four months ago with Russian forces trying to cement themselves in the east of the country.
They claim their mission is still to “liberate” the Donbas from Ukrainian rule and protect Russian interests, Reuters reports.
READ MORE: Challenging Ukrainian major ‘kidnapped’ by Russian security forces
President Joe Biden has also announced that there will be more military deployments over land, sea and air in Europe, from Spain to Poland and Romania.
It will include a permanent army headquarters and accompanying battalion in Poland.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at a news conference: “President Putin’s war on Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe and created the biggest security crisis in Europe since World War II.
“NATO has responded with force and unity.”