Europe Cheers As Finnish Leaders Back Joining NATO—As Russia Threatens Retaliation

Topline

Finland’s president and prime minister on Thursday announced their support for the country to apply for NATO membership “without delay,” leading to a strong, celebratory show of support from Europe and a stark warning from Russia, which has opposed NATO expansion.

NATO flags are seen ahead of NATO Foreign Ministers meeting at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, … [+] Belgium on April 6, 2022. (Photo by Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Key Facts

NATO: Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement to multiple media outlets Finland would be “warmly welcomed” into the alliance, and that the process would be “smooth and swift.”

European Union: EU President Charles Michel called Finland’s decision a “powerful signal of deterrence” to Russia, and said it will be a “historic step, once taken, that will greatly contribute to European security.”

Poland: Mateusz Morawiecki, Poland’s prime minister, said the country supports Finland joining NATO “as quickly and smoothly as possible.”

Estonia: Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said in a tweet “history is being made by our northern neighbors,” adding Estonia supports a rapid NATO accession process, and Estonia’s President, Alar Karis, said he fully supports the “historic step,” and claimed Russia’s criticisms were “just fruits of their own failure to live at peace with neighbors.”

Denmark: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a tweet the country will do “everything possible to support a swift application process” after Finland’s formal application.

Latvia: Krišjānis Kariņš, prime minister of Latvia, called Finland’s announcement “an important turn towards an even stronger Alliance and greater security in the Baltic Sea Region.”

Romania: Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said in a tweet Romania “stands ready” to support Finland’s NATO accession process.

Czech Republic: Petr Fiala, prime minister of the Czech Republic, said the Czechs welcome Finland’s decision and will support it when Finland joins NATO.

Chief Critic

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called Finland’s announcement a hostile move because “NATO expansion does not make our continent more stable and secure.” Reuters quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying Russia would need to take “retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature, in order to stop threats to its national security arising,” and that “Helsinki must be aware of the responsibility and consequences of such a move.”

Key Background

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced Finland and Sweden to reconsider their longstanding military neutrality. Both countries held a joint press conference last month announcing that they are conducting security reviews, which could include applying for NATO membership. Finland, which declared independence from Russia in 1917, shares an 810-mile border with the country. Russia invaded Finland in 1939 and sparked a year-long war that ended with Finland ceding 11% of its territory to Russia. Sweden has pledged to avoid military alliances for over 200 years, though an island in the Baltic Sea could be a vulnerable target if conflict broke out in the region.

What To Watch For

Finland’s foreign minister indicated last month Sweden could make their decision on joining NATO within days of Finland’s announcement.

Tangent

The U.K. signed new security agreements with Finland and Sweden on Wednesday. Under the pact, the U.K. will increase military deployments to the two countries so that it can support Finland and Sweden if they come under attack. “These are not a short term stop gap, but a long term commitment to bolster military ties and global stability, and fortify Europe’s defenses for generations to come,” Johnson said in a statement.