“A warm welcome, Finland” – this is how the world comments on Finland’s first steps towards the military alliance NATO

Several NATO leaders have shown their support for Finland’s NATO intentions. Today, President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Marin issued a statement stating that Finland must “apply for NATO membership as a matter of urgency”.

One of the first was the Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallaswho commented on the president Niinistö and the Prime Minister Marinine statement on Twitter. According to him, Estonia will do its utmost to ensure that the application process for membership progresses rapidly.

– Our northern neighbors made history today. You can count on our full support, Kallas writes.

Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg welcomes Finland to the military alliance as well. According to Stoltenberg, Finland’s accession to NATO would go smoothly and quickly if Finland decides to apply for membership, news agencies say.

At least Germany, Lithuania, Denmark, Poland and Romania have also announced today on Thursday that they are ready to support Finland’s NATO membership.

The President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö says on Twitter that Finland’s NATO intentions will receive full support from the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

– I told him about Finland’s steps towards NATO membership and he expressed his full support for it, President Niinistö tweets.

In Sweden, the Finnish leadership has commented on the NATO statement, among other things Ann Linden. According to him, Finland’s decision will also affect NATO weighing in Sweden.

Russia has a negative attitude towards Finland’s NATO intentions, as has been expected. According to the Kremlin, Finland’s NATO membership would definitely be a threat to Russia, news agencies say.

According to Russia, Finland’s announced willingness to join NATO is a “radical change”, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to the news agency Reuters.

Sources: STT, Reuters, AFP, AP