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Finnish leaders agree to immediately apply to join NATO

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin On May 12, it was announced that the country must apply to join the union military NATO right away.

Finnish leaders agree to immediately apply to join NATO - Photo 1

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto

reuters

AFP reported that Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin on May 12 declared support for joining NATO and a final decision will be made by the end of this week.

“Finland must apply for accession NATO immediately,” President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said in a joint statement.

“Being a member of NATO will strengthen the security of Finland. As a member of NATO, Finland will strengthen the entire alliance,” the statement read.

According to the statement, a special Finnish committee will officially announce its decision to apply to join NATO on May 15.

To join NATO, what procedures will Finland and Sweden have to go through?

Finland has a 1,300 km long border with Russia and experienced a bloody war with this country. Finland has maintained its neutrality for decades.

Finland has increased cooperation with NATO since Russia’s annexation Crimea in 2014. However, the country still did not join the alliance to maintain friendly relations with Russia.

Finnish views on NATO changed rapidly after Russia began its special military operation in Ukraine.

The latest poll by Finnish broadcaster YLE shows that 76% of Finns are in favor of joining NATO and only 12% are against it. Before Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine, the approval rating was only about 25% for many years.

Finland’s quick change of opinion towards joining NATO will probably drag neighboring Sweden.

Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats will decide on May 15 whether to continue to oppose NATO membership. If they give up this position that has been maintained for decades, it will certainly lead to Sweden’s application to join NATO.

Pope Francis: NATO may have influenced Russia’s decision in Ukraine

Russia has repeatedly warned both countries against joining the US-led military alliance. Recently, the Russian Foreign Ministry 12.3 stated that “there will be serious military and political consequences” if they do so.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said the alliance could speed up the accession of Finland and Sweden to the bloc.

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