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Finland's leaders urge NATO bid 'without delay'; Russia vows response
Finland's leaders announced Thursday their intention for the country to join NATO "without delay," a new setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
International
Finland’s leaders announced Thursday their intention for the country to join NATO “without delay,” a move that would bolster the Western military alliance and which prompted a swift vow of retaliation from Russia.
The Nordic nation, which shares an 810-mile border with Russia, is expected to be given rapid accession to join the alliance that was founded to counter the power of the Kremlin, and neighboring Sweden looks set to follow with its own bid in the coming days.
Moscow said Finland’s move represented a threat and promised to retaliate with “military-technical” action and other measures as Russian President Vladimir Putin confronted the prospect of his war in Ukraine resulting in the very opposite of the goals it was launched to achieve.
"Helsinki must be aware of the responsibility and consequences of such a move," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced their support for the decision in a joint statement early Thursday.
“NATO membership would strengthen Finland’s security. As a member of NATO, Finland would strengthen the entire defense alliance,” they said.
“Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay. We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days.”
Finland has traditionally been militarily neutral and enjoyed good relations with Moscow — but the war in Ukraine has led the country to rethink its security and self-determinism.
The move is a sign of European unity and opposition to Putin's aggression, with Western countries acting to counter fears that the Kremlin wants to re-establish Russian power over its neighbors beyond Ukraine.
The end to Kyiv's long-standing desire to join NATO and the removal of Western troops in the region were central to Putin's prewar demands, but Finland joining would double Russia's border with the transatlantic alliance.
Responding to the news, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "another expansion of NATO does not make our continent more stable and secure." Russia’s response would depend on what specific steps NATO takes close to Russian borders, he added.
Russia’s foreign ministry previously warned of “serious military and political consequences” if either of the two countries join the 30-nation alliance.
Asked Wednesday if Finland would provoke Russia by joining NATO, Niinistö said Putin would be to blame. “My response would be that you caused this. Look at the mirror,” he said.