Finland Joins NATO Amid Tensions With Russia (Watch Video)

Summary: 

• Finland officially becomes a NATO member, bolstering the alliance’s eastern flank in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• Moscow warns of countermeasures and potential conflict escalation, while Ukraine praises Finland’s decision.
• Finland supports Sweden’s NATO membership bid, as Turkey and Hungary delay Sweden’s application process.

Helsinki, Finland (MandyNews.com) – In a historic policy shift, Finland formally joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Tuesday, a decision prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Moscow responded with threats of “countermeasures” and warnings of potential conflict escalation.

The addition of Finland to NATO makes the alliance’s border with Russia longer and its eastern side stronger. This is important because the war in Ukraine is still going on with no end in sight. Pekka Haavisto, the Finnish foreign minister, gave an official document to Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, at NATO headquarters in Brussels. This was the last step in the process of joining.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg was happy to see Finland join the alliance. He also pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions had led Finland to join NATO by accident. Stoltenberg also mentioned that Sweden is expected to become a NATO member soon.

The Kremlin didn’t like Finland’s decision to join, and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the move could make the conflict in Ukraine worse. In response to Finland joining NATO, Russia said it would build up its military in its western and northwestern regions.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government lauded Finland’s decision, with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak stating that Finland had made the right choice and reaffirming NATO membership as a key goal for Ukraine.

Finland’s NATO membership marks the end of its longstanding policy of military non-alignment, which began after repelling an invasion attempt by the Soviet Union during World War Two. The country had previously aimed to maintain friendly relations with neighboring Russia. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 pushed Finland to seek security under NATO’s collective defense pact, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described NATO’s expansion as an “encroachment on our security and on Russia’s national interests” and said that Moscow would monitor any NATO military deployments in Finland closely.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked that Putin had “precipitated something he claims to want to prevent” by driving Finland to join NATO due to Russia’s actions.

Sweden and Finland submitted applications to join NATO together last year, but Sweden’s application has been delayed by NATO members Turkey and Hungary. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstroem expressed his hope that Sweden would become a member at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July.

Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto pledged to work “relentlessly” to secure Sweden’s NATO membership, asserting that Finland’s membership would not be complete without Sweden also joining the alliance.

Frequently Asked Questions And Answers On Finland And Sweden NATO Membership

What event marked Finland’s historic policy shift?

Finland formally joined the NATO military alliance on Tuesday, prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

How has Finland’s accession to NATO affected the alliance’s border with Russia?

Finland’s accession roughly doubles the length of the border that NATO shares with Russia and bolsters its eastern flank.

Who represented Finland in the accession process?

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto completed the accession process by handing over an official document to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

What was the response of NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to Finland joining NATO?

Stoltenberg welcomed Finland to the alliance, noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions had led to the opposite of his stated goals, with Finland joining NATO and Sweden expected to follow soon.

How did Russia react to Finland’s NATO accession?

The Kremlin threatened “countermeasures,” and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu warned of the conflict in Ukraine potentially escalating further. Russia announced plans to strengthen its military capacity in its western and northwestern regions.

How did the Ukrainian government respond to Finland’s move?

The Ukrainian government praised Finland’s decision, with President Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yerm Yermak, stating that Finland made the right choice and reaffirming NATO membership as a key goal for Ukraine.

What was Finland’s previous military stance?

Finland had maintained a policy of military non-alignment since World War Two, seeking to maintain friendly relations with neighboring Russia.

What prompted Finland to seek NATO membership?

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 led Finns to seek security under NATO’s collective defense pact, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all.

How did Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov describe NATO expansion?

Peskov said the NATO expansion was an “encroachment on our security and on Russia’s national interests,” adding that Moscow would closely monitor any NATO military deployments in Finland.

What did US Secretary of State Antony Blinken say about Putin’s role in Finland’s NATO accession?

Blinken said Putin had “precipitated something he claims to want to prevent,” suggesting that Russia’s actions had driven Finland to join NATO.

What is the status of Sweden’s NATO application?

Sweden’s NATO application has been held up by NATO members Turkey and Hungary. Sweden hopes to become a member at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July.

What issues are delaying Sweden’s NATO membership?

Turkey claims Stockholm harbors members of what Ankara considers terrorist groups and demands their extradition as a step toward ratifying Swedish membership. Hungary cites grievances over criticism of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s democratic record.

How is Finland supporting Sweden’s NATO membership bid?

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said that Finland will work “relentlessly” to secure Sweden’s membership of NATO, emphasizing that Finland’s membership is not complete without Swedish membership.

What marked the end of Finland’s military non-alignment era?

The invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 prompted Finns to seek security under NATO’s collective defense pact, leading to the end of Finland’s era of military non-alignment.

How did Moscow react to Finland’s NATO accession?

Moscow reacted with disapproval, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov describing the NATO expansion as an “encroachment on our security and on Russia’s national interests.”

Has NATO enlargement been a contentious issue in the past?

Yes, since the end of the Cold War, Moscow has viewed successive waves of NATO enlargement to the formerly communist east of Europe with consternation.

What is NATO’s stance on its relationship with Russia?

NATO has repeatedly stressed that it is solely a defensive alliance and does not threaten Russia.

When do Sweden and Finland hope to become NATO members?

Sweden hopes to become a member at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July, while Finland has already formally joined NATO as the 31st country in the alliance.

How have NATO members Turkey and Hungary affected Sweden’s application process?

Turkey and Hungary have delayed Sweden’s application process due to their respective issues with Sweden, including claims of harboring terrorist group members and criticism of Hungary’s democratic record.

How important is NATO membership for Sweden?

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstroem emphasized that NATO membership is a question of utmost importance for Sweden and urged both the Turkish and Hungarian parliaments not to delay the process further.