Finland’s President announced that Finland will be applying for NATO membership. It is an historic decision for Finland, which has been pursuing a long-standing policy of military neutrality.

At a press conference President Sauli Niinisto stated that NATO membership will help “maximize” Finland’s security following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.

It comes after Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin last week said the country should apply to join NATO “without delay.”

Finland has an 830-mile border to Russia. If Finland joins NATO, its land border would nearly double with Russia.

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