NATO Alliance will welcome Finland as its 31st member tomorrow, and the Finnish flag will be raised at the NATO headquarters for the first time on Tuesday. The historic moment was announced by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg during a press conference in Brussels. However, Russia issued a warning, stating that it would strengthen its defenses near the joint border if NATO deploys any troops in the new member country.
Stoltenberg expressed his hope that Sweden will follow suit in the coming months. Turkey will submit its official texts for Finland’s membership to the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Tuesday, making it the final country to ratify Finland’s membership. (NATO Alliance)
The Finnish President, Defense Minister, and Foreign Minister will attend the ceremony, with a focus on highlighting NATO’s support for Ukraine. In response to Finland’s NATO membership, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko announced that Moscow would increase its defense capabilities in the western and northwestern regions if necessary. (NATO Alliance)
Image Source: AP News
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Monday that Finland will officially become the 31st member of the world’s largest military alliance on Tuesday. However, Russia issued a warning, stating that it would strengthen its defenses near the joint border if NATO deploys any troops in the new member country.
Stoltenberg expressed his enthusiasm for the historic moment during a press conference in Brussels ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers and added that he hopes Sweden will follow suit in the coming months. On Tuesday, the Finnish flag will be raised at the NATO headquarters for the first time, marking a significant day for Finland’s security, Nordic security, and the alliance as a whole. ( NATO Alliance)
According to Stoltenberg, Turkey will submit its official texts for Finland’s membership to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, making it the final country to ratify Finland’s membership. Stoltenberg added that he will then invite Finland to do the same. (NATO Alliance)
NATO Alliance:-
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen, and Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto will attend the ceremony. Haavisto emphasized the significance of the moment, stating that the top priority for Finland during the meeting will be to highlight NATO’s support for Ukraine in light of Russia’s illegal aggression. He further added that their goal is to promote stability and security throughout the Euro-Atlantic region.
According to Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, Moscow will increase its defense capabilities in the western and northwestern regions in response to Finland’s NATO membership, if necessary. Grushko made the statement in comments published by the state news agency RIA Novosti. He also said that if other NATO member countries deployed forces in Finland, Russia would take additional measures to protect its military security.
The announcement of Finland’s membership in NATO came after a weekend election in which conservative parties gained ground, resulting in left-wing Prime Minister Sanna Marin being denied another term. Marin had been a strong supporter of Finland’s accession to NATO.
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland, and Sweden, who traditionally remained militarily neutral, decided to seek protection under NATO’s security umbrella to avoid being targeted. After all 30 allies signed their accession protocols, Turkey and Hungary delayed the process, with the latter’s demands never being explicitly stated.
However, Turkey has sought guarantees and assurances from the two countries, especially regarding tackling extremism. For new members to join, NATO must reach a unanimous agreement, and NATO officials are eager to bring Sweden into the fold before a meeting of U.S. President Joe Biden and his alliance counterparts in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12. According to Stoltenberg, Sweden would not be left alone, and it would be as close as possible to being a full-fledged member. (NATO Alliance)
