BRUSSELS A moving and historic day. That’s what the US ambassador to NATO said Julianne Smith describes his mood on the fourth day of April, when Finland joined the defense alliance as a full member.
– I have worked with NATO affairs for more than twenty years. If I had been told a few years ago that I would witness the moment when Finland becomes a member of NATO, I would not have believed this, says Smith.
According to Smith, Finland strengthens the defense alliance with its military capabilities. At the same time, the length of NATO’s border against Russia will more than double. This changes NATO’s eastern border area in a significant way.
Smith emphasizes that the defense alliance can defend Finland if necessary.
– Every inch of NATO territory, including Finland, is well protected.
Membership also means closer relations with individual NATO allies. Finland and the United States are currently negotiating a bilateral defense agreement.
The agreement would facilitate the movement of American troops on Finnish soil, among other things. The United States is also conducting similar negotiations with Sweden.
When will NATO’s doors open to Sweden?
The president of the Republic Sauli Niinistö emphasized in connection with Finland’s accession that Finland’s membership is not complete without Sweden’s membership. Sweden is still waiting for the approval of Turkey and Hungary for its membership.
NATO’s July summit in Vilnius has been considered an important milestone for Sweden’s NATO membership as well.
– We hope that Sweden will become a member of NATO, and that the ratification process will be completed by Vilnius, if not even earlier. We have made it clear within the alliance that Sweden is ready to become a member, says Smith.
Smith hopes that the ratification of Sweden’s membership would proceed in Turkey and Hungary in the coming weeks. According to him, the United States is committed to ensuring that Sweden is able to protect its territory even while the membership process is in progress.
An important summit in Vilnius
In addition to the Swedish NATO process, many other important issues for NATO will also pile up at the NATO summit in July. Among other things, the national defense investments of the member countries are on the table.
According to NATO’s goals, member countries should spend at least two percent of their gross domestic product on defense spending. Finland is one of eight member countries that meets NATO’s requirement.
– I congratulate our newest member, Finland, for exceeding the two percent goal. This is good news for both the federation and Finland, says Smith.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has sparked a debate about whether the allies’ current efforts are sufficient. The United States has traditionally demanded that other NATO members increase their defense budgets.
– As I see it, we are heading towards a situation where the two percent defense spending is more of a floor than a ceiling, Smith sums up.
Ukraine hopes for weapons and a path to NATO membership
The Vilnius summit will also discuss the Russian invasion and support for Ukraine. According to Smith, the president of Ukraine to Volodymyr Zelensky expected to attend the meeting.
– This is an important opportunity to show our unity. President Putin expected that the unity of the alliance would be broken and that we would turn our eyes elsewhere. But our support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity is unwavering, and we’re not going anywhere.
Ukraine has also hoped that the member countries would confirm the decision made by NATO in 2008, according to which the country will become a member of the defense alliance. However, in the current situation, NATO’s most important goal is to strengthen Ukraine’s defense, Smith states.
– Our focus remains on practical support and ensuring that Ukraine is victorious on the battlefield.
Who will be the next Secretary General?
During the summit, there has also been a discussion about who could become the next Norwegian Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg after. It is also possible that through Stoltenberg it would be extended a second time.
Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte have appeared in speculations, as has the current president of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
In the countries of Central Eastern Europe, on the other hand, it has been emphasized that it would be time to elect a person representing NATO’s border states, such as the Prime Minister of Estonia, as Secretary General Kaja Kallas.
The Secretary General, who is traditionally chosen from Europe, plays a key role in NATO’s consensus-based decision-making. Stoltenerg, who started in 2014, is NATO’s longest-serving secretary general.
Ambassador Smith does not speculate on a successor or a possible extension of the current Secretary General’s term.
However, according to him, the union made the right decision in extending Stoltenberg’s term of office until the fall of this year.
– He has done an incredible job as general secretary, and we are all very grateful for his many years of service.