Finland has a difficult past with Russia. Even following the Second World War, the country remained neutral so as not to strain relations with the then Soviet Union and then Russia. Russia has repeatedly warned Finland once morest joining NATO.
On Thursday, however, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced that Finland wanted to join NATO “immediately”. According to the Moscow leadership, it is “clearly” a threat to Russia.
“Regrettable”
As Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, expanding the military alliance and NATO rapprochement with Russia’s borders “would not make the world and our continent more stable and secure. The step taken by Finland is regrettable and a reason for a corresponding reaction .
Russia is ready to give the strongest response to any party trying to get involved in Ukraine and to impede the “special military operation”. Russia will analyze the consequences of Finland joining NATO with a view to its own security, said Peskov.
Peskov: New instructions from Putin
Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin has already instructed to strengthen the security of Russia’s western flank with a view to NATO activities. “NATO is moving in our direction,” Peskov said. Everything now depends on how NATO enlargement develops and what military infrastructure is transferred to the borders. Peskov also accused Finland of taking unfriendly steps once morest Russia within the EU. Moscow will respond to that as well.
The Foreign Ministry said: Russia will react accordingly. “Finland’s accession to NATO is a radical change in the country’s foreign policy.” “Russia will be forced to respond appropriately – in military-technical and other terms – to take into account the threats to its national security,” the ministry said in a statement.
Warning from Putin ally
One of President Vladimir Putin’s closest allies warned the West on Thursday that increasing military support for Ukraine from the US and its allies might spark a conflict between Russia and NATO.
“Such a conflict always carries the risk of escalating into full-scale nuclear war,” Dmitry Medvedev, who is Putin’s deputy at the head of Russia’s Security Council, told Telegram. “NATO countries pumping arms into Ukraine, training troops to use Western equipment, sending mercenaries, and Allied exercises near our borders increase the likelihood of direct and open conflict between NATO and Russia.”
Stoltenberg: Finland “Welcome”
Before the country can join NATO, all 30 current members must agree. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has already commented positively on Finland’s decision. Finland is one of NATO’s closest partners and a key factor when it comes to Euro-Atlantic security.
“The accession process would be smooth and expeditious.” Finland would be “welcomed warmly” to NATO. If granted, membership would pave the way for an increased troop presence in Scandinavia during the year-long ratification period.
„Historical“
Denmark, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland welcomed the decision. According to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Finnish accession will strengthen NATO and common security. Denmark will do everything to ensure a speedy admission process once the formal application for membership has been submitted. Denmark is a founding member of NATO.
Similarly, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said: “Finland’s accession would significantly strengthen both the alliance and the security of the Baltic States. I am happy regarding this great historic day.”
Recorded as soon as possible
“History is being written by our northern neighbors,” tweeted Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. Finland can count on Estonia’s “full support”. “We support the rapid accession process. The necessary steps will be taken quickly from our side.” Like Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have been members of NATO and the EU since 2004. The Baltic States border on Russia and partly also on its ally Belarus.
Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki spoke on Twitter of “good news for the security of Poland and Europe” and called for Finland to join the alliance as soon as possible.
Zelenskyj welcomes decision
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also welcomed Finland’s willingness to join NATO. He said that in a phone call to Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, Zelenskyj wrote on Twitter. “We also talked regarding Ukraine’s European integration. And – interaction on defense.”
Pressure on Sweden
Finland is expected to decide on a formal application for membership in the coming days, probably on Sunday. This step would be a direct consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting changed security situation in Europe. For Finland, which has been non-aligned for a long time and shares a border with Russia that is more than 1,300 kilometers long, such a decision would be historic.
Finnish government wants to join NATO
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin have spoken out in favor of their country joining NATO. In a joint statement on Thursday, the two endorsed membership in the western military alliance. Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said in a statement the country supports the bid for NATO membership, paving the way for the alliance’s expansion amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Niinistö and Marin’s government ultimately decide jointly on the NATO issue, but they involved parliament in the decision-making process. On the way to a decision, the government had already submitted a security analysis to the Riksdag in Helsinki in April, in which the advantages and risks of possible NATO membership were highlighted. In the population there was a clear change of opinion towards joining the alliance. In a recent poll by the Finnish broadcaster Yle, 76 percent of respondents were in favor of Finland joining NATO.
Finland’s announcement increases the pressure on Sweden to make a timely decision on NATO membership. A separate security policy analysis was expected there on Friday, and Magdalena Andersson’s governing Social Democrats want to make a decision on their own position on the matter on Sunday. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Niinistö is finally with the Swedish King Carl XVI. Gustaf visiting Stockholm.