CNBC: Russia Threatens Retaliation as Finland Moves to Join NATO

EXCERPT:

SMITH: “NATO Secretary-General says Finland would be warmly welcomed in. He is promising a smooth and swift process once the country applies for membership. It could happen Sunday, with a vote on Monday. Admiral James Stavridis, now former NATO Supreme Admiral Commander, admiral, you know, it is rich with irony, Putin creating what he was trying to prevent. Now they are talking retaliation. What to expect, admiral?”
STAVRIDIS: “I think it’s a hollow threat. They really don’t have the military capability, the Fins are very well-defended kinetically, militarily, Shep. The fins are also experts at cyber defense, which would be potentially another avenue for Russia. They are a superb military. When I was Supreme Allied Commander, they deployed to Afghanistan as part of our mission there, so I have commanded Finnish troops in combat and also Swedish troops. They are outstanding. They are well-financed. If you add up those two defense budgets, Sweden and Finland, Shep, it is about one third of Russia’s defense budget, so a huge plus-up.”