Finland Joins NATO in Response to Russian Aggression – What It Means for the World?

On Tuesday, Finland will become the 31st member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), according to an announcement made by the Western military alliance’s secretary general. The country’s application, which had been expedited, was in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a nation with which Finland shares a long border.

Turkey’s Objections

Initially, Turkey had delayed Finland’s application, accusing the nation of supporting “terrorists.” Similarly, Sweden had also applied to join NATO in May of last year, but Turkey had blocked its application over similar complaints. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had accused Sweden of embracing Kurdish militants and allowing them to demonstrate on the streets of Stockholm.

Significance of Finland’s Membership

The significance of Finland’s membership cannot be understated, as the nation shares a 1,340km (832 mile) border with Russia and possesses one of the most powerful arsenals of artillery pieces in Western Europe. Finland’s decision to abandon its neutrality and join the alliance was in direct response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, Finland’s accession to NATO represents a major strategic setback.

Collective Defense and Response from Russia

One of NATO’s founding principles is that of collective defense, meaning an attack on one member nation is treated as an attack on them all. In response to Finland’s accession, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Grushko, has made clear that if the forces and resources of other NATO members are deployed in Finland, Russia will take additional steps to reliably ensure its military security.

Public Opinion in Finland

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has radically altered public opinion in Finland, with support for NATO membership jumping from an underwhelming one-third of Finns to almost 80% virtually overnight. As Finland becomes the seventh NATO country on the Baltic Sea, this further isolates Russia’s coastal access at St Petersburg and on its small exclave of Kaliningrad.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Finland’s membership is one of the most significant moments in NATO’s recent history. It is a response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and a move towards collective defense. Furthermore, it further isolates Russia’s coastal access and represents a significant setback for President Putin’s expansionist ambitions.