Finland joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) today (Tuesday), completing a rapid transition to the Western military alliance in the wake of Russia's war on Ukraine.
Moscow announces its intention to strengthen its military capabilities in the western and northwestern directions as a response to this accession.
Finland's accession to NATO adds a strong army to the coalition forces and contributes to strengthening the defenses of its eastern flank in the face of any Russian attack.
Finland has a border with Russia that extends for a distance of 1,300 km, which means that the length of the alliance’s borders with Russia has almost doubled.
"We will (today) welcome Finland's accession to become the thirty-first member of NATO, which will enhance Finland's security and the strength of our alliance," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels.
The office of Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said the president would fly to Brussels to take part in the ceremony.
Russia's war on Ukraine in February of last year prompted Finland and neighboring Sweden to apply for NATO membership, abandoning decades of military non-alignment.
Follow the latest news on Google News
