Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine at least in part to increase its land size against NATO. Instead, his plan backfired. Finland now faces an uncomfortable “830-mile border with Russia,” CNBC reported. If Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), it would increase border with Putin’s nation two-fold.
Finland announced it intended to apply for membership in NATO now, even though its long-term policy was “military neutrality.” President of Finland President Sauli Niinisto said in a press release:
‘Today, we, the president and the government’s foreign policy committee, have together decided that Finland … will apply for NATO membership.’
Of course, Finland’s move to join NATO could give Putin an excuse to “become more aggressive.” But it all started in 1949 when America, Canada, and a small group of European nations started NATO in order to protect against a then-Soviet Union invasion.
Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin claimed that becoming part of the organization “maximize(s)” the nation’s security. The Finns anticipated a formal request to become a member next week. NATO Deputy-Secretary General Mircea Geoana told reporters:
‘[An] important decision [for a] strong mandate. We hope that the parliament will confirm the decision to apply for NATO membership during the coming days.’
Geoana said Finland and Sweden were the closest of nations to becoming NATO members. He expressed confidence in them joining NATO:
‘I am confident that if these two countries will decide, in the next few days I understand, to seek membership in NATO, that [we] will be able to welcome them and to find all conditions for consensus to be met. They expressed concerns that [They] are addressed and discussed in between friends and allies.’
Russia’s foreign ministry found Finland becoming part of NATO very unfortunate. A statement called the move a “radical change:”
‘Russia will be forced to take retaliatory steps, both of a mitary-technical and other nature, in order to stop threats to its national security arising.’
Russia borders 14 countries, but only five of them belong to NATO, “Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and Norway.” But then, Finland discovered that Putin was fine with attacking one of its neighbors again. The then-Soviet Union attacked Finland in 1939 and they fought the “Winter War.”
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has the next to the largest military in NATO. He opposed Finland joining NATO, which was a problem because the vote must be unanimous:
Ever since its foundation in 1949 and all throughout the Cold War, the NATO countries have had an uncomfortable agreement Soviet Union. Then the Soviet Union collapsed upon itself in 1991 and became a smaller Russia.
Earlier Sunday, NATO’s Deputy Secretary-General was confident about Finland and Sweden potentially joining the group. And Finland President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin made the announcement at a news conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Poland, NPR reported:
‘This is a historic day. A new era begins.’
Turkey’s President Erdogan said:
‘We don’t hold positive views.’
Both Finland and Sweden might become members with Sweden following Finland’s move. But Erdogan must agree to it.
Three White Lions is Gloria Christie’s new serialized book available in episodes on Amazon. Go to Kindle Vella and insert her name. She also writes for the liberal online newspaper The Bipartisan Report. Gloria Christie Report her newsletter for people on the go. Written in her own unique style with a twist of humor in a briefer version of Bipartisan Report. Christie’s Mueller Report Adventures In Bite-Sizes a real-life compelling spy mystery. Find her here on Facebook.
