All eyes are on Putin as Finland officially applies to join NATO
Despite increasing threats, Finland has officially announced that it will join NATO Russia.
The Kremlin had previously warned the possible move was “definitely” a threat that would be met with “retaliation.”
The Finnish President and the Committee of Ministers today officially agreed to join NATO.
A draft report to be submitted to the country’s government has been released detailing the decision.
It states: “By joining NATO, Finland would strengthen its own security in the changed operating environment.
“Finland’s membership in NATO would strengthen stability and security in the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe.”
President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin made the announcement today at a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki.
“This is a historic day. A new era is beginning,” said Mr. Niinisto.
The Finnish Parliament is expected to approve the decision in the coming days, but it is being considered a formality.
A formal application for membership is expected to be submitted to NATO headquarters in Brussels next week.
The Nordic nation that shares a long border with Russia was never a member of the Cold War Defense Alliance.
But the invasion of Ukraine paved the way for new thinking.
The report adds: “Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a fundamental change has taken place in the security and operational environment of Finland and Europe.”
On Saturday, a Russian state-owned energy company suspended electricity supplies to Finland amid rising tensions.
And on Thursday, Russia’s ambassador to the EU said there would be a “military and technical” response to Finland’s NATO entry.
He told Sky News he was “deeply disappointed” in the Nordic state.
He added that Finland “has surpassed itself and has become a major power in promoting the European security architecture in recent decades.”
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https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/15/all-eyes-on-putin-as-finland-formally-applies-to-join-nato-16646725/ All eyes are on Putin as Finland officially applies to join NATO