Russia makes nuclear threat to Sweden, Finland over NATO consideration

Russia will have to bolster its defenses in the Baltic Sea -- including a potential nuclear escalation -- if Sweden and Finland join NATO, Moscow said on Thursday. 

"There can be no more talk of any nuclear-free status for the Baltic - the balance must be restored," Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s security council and former president of Russia, said, Reuters reported. 

"Until today, Russia has not taken such measures and was not going to. If our hand is forced, well ... take note it was not us who proposed this," he added, according to Reuters. ...