Finland Moves to Join NATO after Ukraine Invasion

Finland must seek immediate membership in NATO, leaders of the Nordic nation said on Thursday, moving to end seven decades outside the Western military bloc in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Finland’s entry would add significant combat power to the alliance while also deepening the East-West pisions that have consumed Europe since Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. Neighboring Sweden is expected to announce its own NATO bid soon.

Moscow said that Finnish accession, which would add hundreds of miles to NATO’s shared border with Russia, would threaten its security. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peksov said that Finnish membership could require new measures by Russia to “balance the situation."

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin, announcing their positions after weeks of internal deliberations, said the militarily nonaligned nation must "apply for NATO membership without delay.”

“As a member of NATO, Finland would strengthen the entire defense alliance,” they said in a statement. The decision, which must be approved by Finland’s parliament, is expected to be finalized in coming days.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said President Vladimir Putin’s assault on Ukraine had altered the security situation not only for Finland. “The war started by Russia jeopardizes the security and stability of the whole of Europe,” he told European lawmakers.