Russia threatens response to Sweden's NATO bid as Transnistria appeals to Moscow
A look back at 28 February 2024, when Moscow announced countermeasures over Sweden and officials in Transnistria sought more Russian involvement.
What did Moscow make of Sweden's march towards NATO membership, and who else was looking to Russia for support? On 28 February 2024, Russia announced that it would take retaliatory "military-technical" steps in response to Sweden joining NATO.
The announcement followed a decision two days earlier. On 26 February 2024, the Hungarian parliament approved Sweden's accession to the alliance. Russia's declaration came as the process of Sweden joining NATO moved forward, and it framed its response in military-technical terms.
Transnistria appeals to the Duma
The same day, a separate appeal was made to Moscow. Officials in Transnistria, the Russia-backed breakaway region internationally recognised as part of Moldova, asked the Russian Duma for more intervention in the territory. They made the request amid increasing tension with the government of Moldova.
Taken together, the developments of 28 February 2024 showed Russia responding to NATO's enlargement on one front while being petitioned for greater involvement on another, in a region that the international community regards as Moldovan territory.
