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Finland announces bid to join NATO in historic move

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On February 6, 2022, a French soldier took part in major drills as part NATO’s EFP operation (Enhance forward Presence) at Tapa Estonian Army Camp near Rakvere.

Alain Jocard – Afp | Afp | Getty Images

Sauli Nainisto, Finland’s President, and Sanna Marin, Finland’s Prime Minister, said that Finland must apply for NATO membership “without delay.”

The strongest indication yet is Thursday’s announcement that Finland would submit a formal request to NATO. The Nordic nation, which has maintained a policy of neutrality in its military affairs for decades, would become a NATO member.

“Finland needs to apply quickly for NATO membership.” The leaders made a joint statement and stated they were hopeful that the necessary national steps to reach this conclusion would be completed quickly.

NATO membership would increase Finland’s safety, while Finland’s participation would also “strengthen our entire defense alliance.”

Over the weekend, the government will discuss the matter. On Monday, the Finnish parliament should approve the final application.

According to President Navasto, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed Finland’s security but there is no immediate danger.

It is possible that the Helsinki move could provoke aggression from Russia. President Vladimir Putin opposes NATO’s enlargement.

Finland has a border of 830 miles with Russia. If Russia joins the military alliance its land border would nearly double. Russia already shares land borders with fourteen countries, five of which are NATO members, including Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.

Finland’s security strategy has been under review in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It was clear that Russia is ready to attack neighboring nations. Finland has been invaded in the past — in 1939, the Soviet Union attacked Finland in what became known as the Winter War.

NATO — or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization — was founded in 1949 by the U.S., Canada, and several Western European nations to provide collective security against modern Russia’s forebear, the Soviet Union.

The alliance’s relationship has been tense with the Soviet Union since the beginning. This continued through the Cold War. In 1991 it was overthrown by the Russian Federation.

This story is breaking and will be updated soon.

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