Finland will be joining NATO as early as Tuesday this week, becoming the 31st member of the world’s largest military alliance— to the ire of Russia.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Monday that Finland will soon become the alliance’s newest member, prompting outcry from Russia and warnings of military bolstering should NATO deploy troops to its border. “This is a historic week,” Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels. “We will raise the Finnish flag for the first time here at NATO headquarters. It will be a good day for Finland’s security, for Nordic security and for NATO as a whole.”
Turkey, which has been withholding Finland’s vote for NATO membership over allegedly providing asylum to Kurdish rebels, is expected to finally hand in official confirmation to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, explained Stoltenberg. “It is a historic moment for us. For Finland, the most important objective at the meeting will be to emphasize NATO’s support to Ukraine as Russia continues its illegal aggression,” added Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto.
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Meanwhile, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko warned that Finland’s brazen move prompts response with increased defenses at its border with the Nordic country. “We will strengthen our military potential in the west and in the northwest,” he said, as cited by state RIA Novosti news agency. “In case of deployment of forces of other NATO members on the territory of Finland, we will take addition steps to ensure Russia’s military security.”
Both Finland and Sweden made a bid for joining NATO last year, over fears that Russia might invade the Nordic region similarly to its military operation in Ukraine. The two countries decided to forego their historical military neutrality and instead seek protection under the US-led military alliance.
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