Breaking news: Turkey handed over the document confirming Finland’s NATO membership to the USA, the custodian of the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty.
31st MEMBER
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto completed the accession process by delivering the official document to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Thus, Finland became the 31st member to join the alliance.
ATTENTION SWEDEN MESSAGE
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Sweden should join the alliance in a short time and said, “We both met with President Erdogan many times, and we agreed on the three-way mechanism for Sweden’s membership process. After that, we need to continue to move forward. Sweden’s membership process “Sweden needs to keep its promises,” he said.
FINLAND MINISTER OF DEFENSE KAIKKONEN: “OUR JOINING NATO IS A GAIN FOR BOTH PARTIES”
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen answered the questions of the press before the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.
Kaikkonen said today is a big day for Finland, “Finland joining NATO is a win for both sides. It’s a win-win situation.” said.
Expressing that Finland’s next goal is to join its neighbor Sweden, after Finland’s NATO membership, Kaikkonen said, “We have been investing in our defense for decades and we have good opportunities in this regard. We will be an active NATO member.” used the phrases.
Underlining that today is a big day for Finland, Kaikkonen said, “Finland joining NATO is a win-win situation for both sides. It’s a win-win situation.” made its assessment.
KREMLIN: WE WILL TAKE AGAINST MEASURES
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitriy Peskov evaluated Finland’s membership in NATO, in a statement to reporters in the capital Moscow.
Pointing out that they view NATO’s enlargement negatively in terms of Russia’s interests and security, Peskov said, “We believe that this will further increase the current tension. In many ways, NATO remains an institution that is hostile to Russia.” used the phrase.
Emphasizing that Russia will take various steps regarding Finland’s NATO membership, Peskov said, “We will take countermeasures to ensure our own security, tactically and strategically. These measures will be taken as we see fit.” he said.
Peskov underlined that they will closely follow the process of deploying NATO infrastructure and weapons to Finland.
Pointing out that there are important differences between Ukraine’s possible NATO membership and Finland, Peskov noted that it is not possible to compare the situation between the two countries.
(AA)