As of Tuesday, Finland will be the thirty-first formal member of the Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), together with a ceremony to conclude the accession to the bloc of countries in which the flag of the Nordic country will be raised and then a meeting of ministers of Allied foreigners. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this week “is historic for the alliance.”
Finland’s inclusion in NATO is a dispute that began in mid-2022 as a preventive and protective measure against Russia’s hostilities in the region caused by the invasion of Ukraine. Even so, Turkey was the only member that was opposed to giving Finland access to NATO, however in the course of this year they have become more open to the idea of a new member in the alliance.
“This is a truly historic day, a great day for the Alliance. (…) Tomorrow we will welcome Finland as the thirty-first member of NATO, making our Alliance stronger, “said Stoltenberg when he announced the appointment.
Given this, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexandr Grushkó reported that now Russia must strengthen its military potential on its western and northwestern border, due to Finland’s entry into the Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). “Part of the measures have already been announced (…) We will strengthen our military potential on the western and northwestern borders,” Grushkó said.
The Moscow representative stated that in the event that forces and means from other NATO countries are stationed in Finland, they will be forced to take additional steps “to guarantee Russia’s military security.”
Even Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out that his country has no territorial concerns or claims over the Nordic country, so there is nothing that could worry the Kremlin about Finland’s accession.
With information from EFE
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