David M. Herszenhorn, Chief Brussels correspondent for POLITICO Europe, made the claim on Twitter. Mr Herszenhorn argued that Finland and Sweden joining NATO showed that Russia had failed in one of its objectives to prevent new countries joining the organisation.
He said: “President Putin did not succeed in closing NATO’s door.
“NATO’s door remains open.”
One of the pretexts for what the Kremlin calls its “special operation” in Ukraine was to prevent Kyiv from joining NATO.
However, shortly after the start of the war in Ukraine, both Finland and Sweden expressed an interest in joining NATO.
Turkey had initially blocked the accession of the two Scandinavian nations, claiming that they supported what it regarded as Kurdish terrorist groups including the Kurdistan Workers Party( PKK).
However, it was announced on Tuesday that Ankara had dropped its objection allowing both countries to proceed to full membership.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Finland and Sweden had pledged to address Turkey’s “concerns”.
He said: “I am pleased to announce that we now have an agreement that paves the way for Finland and Sweden to join NATO.
READ MORE: Ukraine destroys £12m Russian helicopter with British-made missile
“And of course, we will continue our fight against terrorism and as NATO members also do so with closer cooperation with Turkey.”
But there has been an angry reaction in Moscow to the news.
Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov described the move as “irresponsible” when talking to reporters on Wednesday.
He said: “We condemn the irresponsible course of the North Atlantic Alliance that is ruining the European architecture, or what’s left of it.
“I have a great deal of doubt as to whether the upcoming period will be calm for our north European neighbours.”
