Finland joins NATO, doubling the size of NATO’s border with Russia and provoking threats of “countermeasures” from the Kremlin
Finland joins NATO after applying to join in May 2022. The ceremony, held outside NATO’s Brussels headquarters, raised Finland’s blue and white flag among those of its partners.
NATO is “The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 31 member states – 29 European and two North American.”
It happens that the ceremony fell on NATO’s birthday, the 74th anniversary of the signing of its founding Washington Treaty on 4 April 1949. Interestingly, it coincides with a meeting of the alliance’s foreign ministers too.
Before Finland, the last country to join NATO was North Macedonia in 2020.
Finland has doubled the length of NATO’s border with Russia
As predicted, the Kremlin has responded by saying it could be forced to take “countermeasures” to protect its border security.
Finland shares a 1,340km (832-mile) border with Russia, so by joining NATO, it has more than doubled the length of NATO’s border with Russia.
By joining the Treaty, Finland has disrupted years of military nonalignment. This is because Finland undoubtedly fears a possible invasion from Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. By joining NATO, Finland gains protection under the organisation’s security umbrella.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v0Jdr_reZQ
Which countries belong to NATO, and when did they join?
The following list provides the country’s names in alphabetical order and the year that they joined NATO.
- ALBANIA (2009)
- BELGIUM (1949)
- BULGARIA (2004)
- CANADA (1949)
- CROATIA (2009)
- CZECHIA (1999)
- DENMARK (1949)
- ESTONIA (2004)
- FINLAND (2023)
- FRANCE (1949)
- GERMANY (1955)
- GREECE (1952)
- HUNGARY (1999)
- ICELAND (1949)
- ITALY (1949)
- LATVIA (2004)
- LITHUANIA (2004)
- LUXEMBOURG (1949)
- MONTENEGRO (2017)
- NETHERLANDS (1949)
- NORTH MACEDONIA (2020)
- NORWAY (1949)
- POLAND (1999)
- PORTUGAL (1949)
- ROMANIA (2004)
- SLOVAKIA (2004)
- SLOVENIA (2004)
- SPAIN (1982)
- TÜRKIYE (1952)
- UNITED KINGDOM (1949)
- UNITED STATES (1949)
Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö insists Finland is not targeting anyone
In a statement, Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö commented: “Finland has today become a member of the defence alliance NATO. The era of military non-alignment in our history has come to an end. A new era begins.
Each country maximises its own security. So does Finland
“Each country maximises its own security. So does Finland. At the same time, NATO membership strengthens our international position and room for manoeuvre. As a partner, we have long actively participated in NATO activities. In the future, Finland will make a contribution to NATO’s collective deterrence and defence.
“Membership of the Alliance provides security for Finland. Finland, on the other hand, provides security for the Alliance. Finland, committed to the security of all NATO member states, will be a reliable ally that strengthens regional stability.
“Finland’s membership is not targeted against anyone. Nor does it change the foundations or objectives of Finland’s foreign and security policy. Finland is a stable and predictable Nordic country that seeks peaceful resolution of disputes.”
31 Allied flags are flying today at #NATO headquarters in Brussels, including a new blue and white addition.
Finland is a full member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.#WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/b04mNkphVC
— Finland at NATO (@FinMissionNATO) April 4, 2023
Kremlin spokesperson talks of Nato’s “encroachment” and hostility
It goes without saying that the move is a blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin, strategically and politically.
Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, referred to Finland joining NATO as an “encroachment” on Russia’s security. Peskov added that NATO’s presence is hostile towards Russia.
Finland joins NATO, but what does it actually mean for Finland?
NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg insisted to reporters in Brussels that “there will be no NATO troops in Finland without the consent of Finland”.
But Stoltenberg refused to rule out future military exercises in Finland. He emphasises that Russia’s demands would not dictate NATO’s decisions.
https://twitter.com/jensstoltenberg/status/1642867153673109505?s=20
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