Russia Threatens Deployment of Nuclear, Hypersonic Weapons in Baltics Over NATO Talks, Lithuania Says They Already Have Them In the Region, CIA Says Don’t Take Threats Lightly

A close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Russia would deploy nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles in the Baltic Europe region if Sweden and Finland joined NATO. Dmitry Medvedev the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council said that if the two nations join NATO then Russia would have to strengthen its land, naval, and air forces in the Baltic Sea. Adding that the Kaliningrad exclave, which is nestled in between Poland and Lithuania, could not be part of a "nuclear free" Baltic if they did join. "There can be no more talk of any nuclear-free status for the Baltic – the balance must be restored," said Medvedev, who was Russian president from 2008 to 2012. Finland and Sweden are considering joining the NATO alliance as support levels have risen since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Finland will decide in the next few weeks, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Wednesday.