The Russian Foreign Ministry had warned that Finland and Sweden joining NATO would have “consequences”. Ministry Spokesperson Mariya Zaharova threatened the two countries, saying, “The participation of Finland and Sweden in NATO, which is primarily a military bloc, will lead to serious political-military consequences that will require our country to respond.” While the threat was interpreted as ‘Russia will declare war on these countries’, Finland challenged Russia with its last move.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin
AGAINST RUSSIA’S THREAT
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin responded to Russia’s NATO threat to Finland. Marin said that the debate on NATO membership in Finland “changed after the start of the war in Ukraine”.
“IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS”
Ignoring Russia’s warnings, Finland started preparations to apply for NATO membership.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said that ‘Finland should apply to join the NATO military alliance without delay.
“We hope that the national steps still necessary to take this decision will be taken swiftly in the next few days,” the leaders said in a joint statement.
“Finland has decided to join the Alliance. NATO is about to get stronger. The Baltics are about to become more secure,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said.
“WE WILL ADD STRENGTH TO NATO”
After announcing her country’s intention to apply for NATO membership, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said they would “further strengthen NATO as a future ally”.
After the Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s statements expressing their intention to apply for NATO membership, Haavisto made a speech by connecting to the session held in the Foreign Relations Committee of the European Parliament by video conference method.
Noting that there is an increasing domestic support for Finland’s NATO membership, Haavisto said that this support has increased to 70 percent in the last period.
Haavisto said that after President Niinistö and Prime Minister Marin’s statement on NATO membership, they approached the point of making a national decision.
Reminding that Finland is already in close cooperation with NATO, Haavisto said, “Finland is a regional security provider and will further strengthen NATO as a future ally.” he said.
Haavisto said that his country will provide added value to NATO, that it has 280 thousand soldiers and 900 thousand reserve forces for wartime, and that they have recently ordered 64 F-35 fighter jets.
Haavisto said, “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed the security environment of Europe and Finland. Finland does not directly face an immediate military threat. Freedom of choice and maintaining national rules that will determine where we go are integral parts of Finland’s external security and defense. ” said.
NATO PLANS A SECURITY GUARANTEE UNTIL MEMBERSHIP
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin stated that Finland should apply for NATO membership without delay.
Sweden is also expected to announce its decision to join NATO in the coming days.
NATO welcomes the membership of both countries and the membership process is expected to be fast.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that if the two countries apply, necessary arrangements can be made to ensure the security of Finland and Sweden “within the period until the completion of official membership”. (AA)