"The expansion of NATO is a mistake", "a Swedish entry into the defense alliance is negative for Russia's security", "Russia will respond appropriately".
These were some of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's first comments after Turkey's president gave Sweden's application the thumbs up. For many, an unexpectedly measured response, but according to SVT's foreign reporter and former Russia correspondent, it was completely to be expected.
"That's because they knew this news was coming," says Bert Sundström.
However, the fact that the news does not come as a shock does not mean that they are without charge.
"Putin may feel that he has been stabbed in the back by President Erdogan, so there is enough anger.
How big is the threat to Sweden from Russia?
On Wednesday morning, Vice-President Medvedev resumed his earlier threats that we are closer than ever to World War III. But the threats themselves are not new, and that a military attack on Sweden is not very likely, says Sundström.
"The threat to Sweden is more on the psychological level. I think it is almost out of the question that Russia would deploy military in an attack on Sweden, he says.
Does Swedish NATO membership change Russia's view of Sweden?
"Russia's image of Sweden is already so negative that it can hardly get much worse.
Listen to SVT's foreign reporter Bert Sundström find out what Russia really feels about NATO opening up to Ukraine and Sweden in the video above.