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 mulling whether or not to join the Nato alliance. Finland will make a decision in the next few weeks, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Wednesday. Read full story