Sweden will become a “legitimate target” by joining NATO, says the Russian envoy

Sweden is summoning its Russian ambassador to the capital Stockholm after the official indirectly threatened the country’s future if it joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Russian Ambassador Viktor Tatarintsev said Sweden would become a “legitimate target” for Russian forces if it joined NATO the Moscow time.

SWEDEN’S PRIME MINISTER BELIEVES FINLAND WILL JOIN NATO BEFORE HIS COUNTRY

“If anyone else believes that [NATO membership] will in any way somehow improve the security of Europe, you can be sure that the new members of the enemy bloc will become a legitimate target for Russian retaliatory actions, including military ones,” the ambassador wrote in an official statement.

The news was released through the official media of the Russian embassy.

WEIGHING OF NATO REQUESTS, HUNGARY TO SEND DIPLOMATS TO SWEDEN, FINLAND

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, left, and Oscar Stenstrom, ambassador to the cabinet preparation and chief negotiator in the NATO process, hold a press conference on the NATO process in Stockholm. (Fredrik Sandberg/TT News Agency via AP)

The warning went on to say that Sweden is “taking a step towards the abyss” by trying to join NATO and is not becoming any safer.

Tatarintsev was summoned to Stockholm for a meeting with the Swedish government.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will invite the Russian ambassador to make a clear statement against this blatant attempt to exert influence,” said Foreign Minister Tobias Billström.

THE FINNISH PARLIAMENT GIVES FINAL APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTRY’S ACCESSION TO NATO BY A 184-7 VOTE

The NATO logo is pictured during a press tour of the facilities in the new North Atlantic Council meeting room at the new NATO headquarters. (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

“Sweden’s security policy is determined by Sweden – by no one else,” he added.

earlier this month, Sweden’s Prime Minister conceded that neighbor Finland is likely to join NATO before his country, as Turkey rejects Sweden’s bid.

Ulf Kristersson said during a news conference in Stockholm on Tuesday that since the NATO summit in Madrid in June it has been clear that Finland’s path to membership has been smoother than Sweden’s and that Finland is now increasingly likely to join NATO first .

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Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (left) receives Barzani Charity Foundation President Musa Ahmad in Ankara, Turkey. (Murat Gok/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Turkey has accused both nations, particularly Sweden, of being too soft on groups it deems terrorist organizations or existential threats to Turkey, including Kurdish groups.

Last month, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara had fewer problems with Finland’s accession.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.