Russia warns of nuclear deployment if Sweden and Finland join Nato

One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies warned Nato on Thursday that if Sweden and Finland joined the US-led military alliance then Russia would have to bolster its defences in the region, including by deploying nuclear weapons.

Finland, which shares a 1,300-km border with Russia, and Sweden are considering joining the Nato alliance. Finland will make a decision in the next few weeks, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Wednesday.