If Finland joins NATO, Moscow would be “obliged to take punitive measures,” Russia’s foreign minister said on Saturday.

“Finland’s membership to NATO will gravely harm bilateral Russo-Finnish relations; which are sustained by stability and security in the Northern European region”; Russian Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in a statement.

“Russia will be forced to take retaliatory measures (both military-technical and other) in order to prevent threats to its national security,” he warned.

Following Finland’s support for a NATO membership candidacy, Russian authorities have increased their rhetoric.