Russia has cautioned Finland and Sweden against joining Nato, claiming that such a step would not bring European stability.
Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, told reporters that "the alliance remains a mechanism aimed for conflict."
It comes as US defense experts described Moscow's invasion of Ukraine as a "major strategic miscalculation" that will almost certainly lead to Nato expansion.
US officials anticipate that the Nordic neighbors will apply for participation in the alliance as early as June.
Washington is thought to approve the move, which would expand the Western alliance to 32 members. According to US State Department sources, conversations between Nato leaders and foreign ministers from Helsinki and Stockholm took place last week.
Russia requested that the alliance promise to suspend any future enlargement before launching its invasion, but the conflict has resulted in the deployment of more Nato soldiers on its eastern flank and a boost in popular support for Swedish and Finnish membership.
Finnish lawmakers are due to get a security report from intelligence authorities this week, and Prime Minister Sanna Marin stated that her government aims to "finish the discussion by summertime" on whether to apply for membership.
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