The Finnish parliament will discuss in the coming days whether or not to apply to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). MPs review a government report on the implications of joining the USled military alliance.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said her country will make a quick decision: “within a few weeks, not months”.
According to information from the AFP news agency, the document does not recommend a specific decision by parliament, but points out the risks for the country if it does not have guaranteed protection. This debate gained momentum after Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
This proposal was publicly supported by the Finns. According to a February poll, for the first time a majority (53%) of Finns support NATO membership. The number of supporters of the membership has almost doubled in a few weeks since it was only 28% in January.
Finland, like its neighbor Sweden, is not a member of NATO but works with the alliance, including participating in joint military exercises.
Finland shares a more than 1.3 km border with Russia. In addition, more than a third of the adult population belongs to the armed forces reservists.
The country has built a network of tunnels and actual “underground cities” prepared to protect civilians amid bombing raids.
2 of 2 The border between Russia and Finland is over 1,300 km long — Photo: Arte g1
Border between Russia and Finland is more than 1,300 km long — Photo: Arte g1
Russia raised its tone towards Finland and Sweden, promising reprisals should the two countries decide to join NATO.
According to the Russian news agency Tass, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said the two countries would suffer “the most unintended consequences” if they join the military alliance.
Russia warns it will strengthen the country’s defenses if Sweden and Finland join NATO