Sweden, Finland joining NATO would be tough for Russia, top U.S. general says

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Finland and Sweden joining NATO would put Russia in a difficult military position in the Baltic Sea, top U.S. General Mark Milley said on Saturday during a visit to Stockholm ahead of a military exercise.

The two Nordic neighbours, which both have long borders on the Baltic Sea, applied last month to join the military alliance amid security concerns after Russia invaded Ukraine in February, although they face objections from Turkey.

Their joining would mean the Baltic Sea's coastline would, bar short strips around Russian cities Kaliningrad and St Petersburg, be encircled by NATO members.

"So from a Russian perspective that will be very problematic for them, militarily speaking, and it would be very advantageous to NATO," said Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/sweden-finland-joining-nato-would-be-tough-for-russia-top-us-general-says/ar-AAY537E

[Model35mech]

1. Not really unlike the situation entering and leaving the Black Sea

There needs to be rights of naviation treaties in the Baltic, just as there is for the Bosphorus and Dardenelles whose egress is surrounded by NATO nations.

Doesn't seem insoluble but the West would probably want agreements to sail along the open waters of Russia's Northern Sea Route also known as the Northeast Passage.

[Wounded Bear]

2. The Baltic is already "closed" by the strait at Denmark/Norway...