Brussels/Moscow: Finland, which had accepted the policy of military non-alignment after World War II, joined NATO as its 31st member country on Tuesday. In Brussels, the Foreign Minister of Finland handed over the official membership documents to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg was also present at this time. In the wake of Finland’s inclusion, Russia has warned of serious consequences and shown signs of increasing military capacity on the northern and western borders.
‘For 75 years, NATO has safeguarded its member countries by becoming a protective shield. At the same time, Europe has gone to war again, and Finland has decided to become part of the world’s most successful alliance by accepting NATO membership at such a time’, said NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg as he welcomed Finland’s decision. Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto supported Finland’s entry into NATO, saying the era of military non-alignment has ended. At the same time, he also stated that this membership was not against any country.
In the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict that started last year, the US and NATO have stepped up efforts to increase the military capacity in Europe. The European countries of Finland and Sweden were being pressured to join NATO. By citing the reason as Russian aggression, both countries were given the approval to join NATO. On Tuesday, Finland officially joined as a member of NATO. However, Sweden’s membership is expected to be delayed.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin issued a stern warning after Finland and Sweden were given entry into NATO. Other leaders from the Russian administration had also warned that these two countries would now also be targeted by Russian missiles. Despite that, the entry of both countries into NATO was confirmed, and a sharp reaction emerged from Russia.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has said that the Russian military will respond to NATO expansion with necessary steps in the future. He indicated increasing military deployment along the northern and western borders of Russia. Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that Russia would take strong countermeasures against Finland’s inclusion into NATO. He even highlighted that Finland’s entry into NATO threatens Russian interests and security.
NATO has taken another step towards Russia and has made its objective evident, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. The Russian spokesperson noted that Finland’s entry into NATO would blow the political relations between Russia and Finland.
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