Finland To Join NATO Tuesday, Military Alliance Chief Says

BRUSSELS — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday that Finland would join on Tuesday, making it the 31st member of the world’s biggest military alliance. This made Russia say that if NATO puts soldiers near their shared border, it will strengthen its own defenses.

“This is a historic week,” Stoltenberg told reporters on the eve of a NATO foreign ministers’ conference in Brussels. “Finland will be a full member of the alliance as of tomorrow,” he said, adding that he hopes Sweden will be able to join NATO in the coming months.

The former Norwegian prime minister said, “we will raise the Finnish flag for the first time here at NATO headquarters on Tuesday afternoon.” It will be a positive day for Finnish security, Nordic security, and NATO overall.”

Stoltenberg stated that Turkey, the last nation to ratify Finland’s membership, will hand over official texts to the United States. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Stoltenberg stated that he would then invite Finland to do the same.

Finland will be a full member of the alliance as of tomorrow.

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen, and Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto will attend the event.

“This is a watershed moment for us.” “The most important goal for Finland at the meeting will be to highlight NATO’s support for Ukraine as Russia continues its illegal aggression,” Haavisto said. “Our goal is to promote stability and security across the Euro-Atlantic region.”

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Grushko, stated that if Finland joins NATO, Moscow will strengthen its defenses.

“We will strengthen our military potential in the west and northwest,” Grushko said, according to the official news agency RIA Novosti. “If other NATO members’ forces are deployed on Finnish territory, we will take additional steps to ensure Russia’s military security.”

Finland’s admission comes just days after conservative parties received a boost in a weekend poll.

Finland’s admission comes just days after conservative parties received a boost in a weekend poll, depriving left-wing Prime Minister Sanna Marin of a second term. Marin had advocated for her country’s NATO membership.

Fearing for their safety after Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago, Finland and Sweden abandoned their traditional stances of military non-alignment to seek protection under NATO’s security umbrella.

All 30 allies endorsed the accession protocols of Finland and Sweden. Turkey and Hungary stalled the process for months, but Finland has yielded. Turkey has requested guarantees and assurances from both countries, particularly on combating extremism. Hungary’s requests need to be made clear.

For new members to join NATO, all members must concur unanimously. NATO officials are eager to draw Sweden into the fold before the United States. On July 11 and 12, President Joe Biden and his alliance counterparts will convene in Vilnius, Lithuania.

“Sweden is not alone.” Sweden is as near to becoming a full member as it can get,” Stoltenberg said.

SOURCE – (AP)