Russia vows response as Finland seeks Nato entry

HELSINKI/KHARKIV: Finland said on Thursday it would apply to join Nato “without delay”, with Sweden expected to follow, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine looked set to bring about the very expansion of the Western military alliance that Vladimir Putin aimed to prevent.

The decision by the two Nordic countries to abandon the neutrality they maintained throughout the Cold War would be one of the biggest shifts in European security in decades. Finland’s announcement angered the Kremlin, which called it a direct threat to Russia and threatened an unspecified response. It came even as Russia’s war in Ukraine was suffering another big setback, with Ukrainian forces driving Russian troops out of the region around the second largest city Kharkiv.

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said the Finns would be “warmly welcomed” and promised the entry process that would be “smooth and swift”.

Finland and Sweden are the two biggest EU countries yet to join Nato. Finland’s 1,300-km border will more than double the length of the frontier between the US-led alliance and Russia, putting Nato guards a few hours’ drive from the northern outskirts of St Petersburg.

“Finland must apply for Nato membership without delay,” President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said in a joint statement. “We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days.”

Asked whether Finland’s accession posed a direct threat to Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Definitely. Nato expansion does not make our continent more stable and secure.

“This cannot fail to arouse our regret, and is a reason for corresponding symmetrical responses on our side,” Peskov added, without elaborating. Russian officials have spoken in the past about potential measures including stationing nuclear-armed missiles on the Baltic Sea.

Asked on Wednesday if Finland would provoke Russia by joining Nato, Niinisto said: “My response would be that you caused this. Look at the mirror.”

Five diplomats and officials told Reuters that Nato allies expect both countries to be granted membership quickly, paving the way for an increased troop presence in the Nordic region to defend them during a one-year ratification period.

Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, cited Nato’s potential expansion as one of the main reasons he launched a “special military operation” in Ukraine in February. Ukraine has long sought to join Nato, although it has lately offered at peace talks to accept some form of neutral status.