Finland moves rapidly to join Nato
FINLAND’S president and prime minister have said they are in favour of rapidly applying for Nato membership “without delay,” paving the way for the alliance to expand amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The dramatic move by Finland was announced by President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
It means that Finland is all but certain to join Nato, though a few steps remain before the application process can begin.
Neighbouring Sweden is expected to decide on joining Nato in the coming days.
Russia reacted to the development with a warning. The Foreign Ministry said that if Finland joins Nato, it will “inflict serious damage to Russian-finnish relations as well as stability and security in Northern Europe”.
“Russia will be forced to take retaliatory steps of military-technical and other characteristics in order to counter the emerging threats to its national security.
“History will determine why Finland needed to turn its territory into a bulwark of military face-off with Russia while losing independence in making its own decisions,” it added. The ministry’s statement follows Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov’s comment earlier on Thursday that Finland’s decision would not help stability and security in Europe.
Mr Peskov said that Russia’s response will depend on Nato’s moves to expand its infrastructure closer to the Russian borders.