As Finland readies to join Nato, Moscow vows to boost defences at joint border if bloc deploys troops in newest member
- Moscow would respond to Finland becoming Nato’s member by bolstering its defences if needed and ‘take addition steps to ensure Russia’s military security’
- Finland and Sweden abandoned their traditional positions of military non-alignment after Russia invaded Ukraine, to seek protection under Nato
The former Norwegian prime minister said that on Tuesday afternoon, “we will raise the Finnish flag for the first time here at the Nato headquarters. It will be a good day for Finland’s security, for Nordic security, and for Nato as a whole”.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen will attend the ceremony, along with Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto.
“It is a historic moment for us. For Finland, the most important objective at the meeting will be to emphasise Nato’s support to Ukraine as Russia continues its illegal aggression,” Haavisto said in a statement. “We seek to promote stability and security throughout the Euro-Atlantic region.”
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that Moscow would respond to Finland becoming Nato’s member by bolstering its defences if needed.
“We will strengthen our military potential in the west and in the northwest,” Grushko said in remarks carried by the state RIA Novosti news agency. “In case of deployment of forces of other Nato members on the territory of Finland, we will take addition steps to ensure Russia’s military security.”
The announcement of Finland’s entry comes just after Finnish voters gave a boost to conservative parties in a weekend election, depriving left-wing Prime Minister Sanna Marin of another term. Marin had championed her country’s Nato accession.
Finland’s left-wing PM Sanna Marin concedes defeat
Fearing that they might be targeted after Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago, the Nordic neighbours Finland and Sweden abandoned their traditional positions of military non-alignment to seek protection under Nato’s security umbrella.
All 30 allies signed Finland’s and Sweden’s accession protocols. Turkey and Hungary delayed the process for months but have relented on Finland. Turkey has sought guarantees and assurances from the two, notably on tackling extremism. Hungary’s demands have never been explicit.
“Sweden is not left alone. Sweden is as close as it can come as a full-fledged member,” Stoltenberg said.