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Finland should apply for Nato membership “without delay”, according to its president and prime minister, all but sealing a historic shift triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The move comes ahead of decision by Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats on Friday, also likely in favour of alliance membership.
“As a member of Nato, Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance,” said Finland’s president Sauli Niinistö and prime minister Sanna Marin in a joint statement on Thursday. “We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days.”
Finland shares a 1,300km border with Russia and, after decades of tense neutrality, Moscow’s war on Ukraine prompted a rapid swing in Finnish public opinion.
Support has risen to an all-time high of 73 per cent, according to the latest poll, a rise of eight points in just two weeks, while 12 per cent reject Nato membership. The latest surge in support appears to have come from don’t knows, down seven points to 15 per cent in the poll for the Helsingin Sanomat daily. In its January poll 28 per cent supported joining Nato.
The president and prime minister said in their statement that, in the last weeks, Finland had needed time to establish where society stands on the Nato alignment. “We have wanted to give the discussion the space it required,” they added. “Now that the moment of decision-asking is near, we state our equal views, also for the information off parliamentary groups and parties.”
The joint statement comes ahead of a final vote in the Finnish parliament, expected to back the move, in the coming days.
Earlier this week, the parliament’s defence committee called alliance membership “the best solution for Finland’s security”.
Finland’s move comes after it and Sweden signed mutual security pacts with the UK on Wednesday.
The new security agreements with the UK – after similar deals signed with the US – are an attempt to address concerns about the so-called “grey zone” both countries will enter after their Nato applications but before accession.
Stockholm and Finland fear their accession – requiring agreement of all 30 existing alliance members – could fall victim to domestic political squabbles, leaving them exposed for an extended period to Russian attacks without full Nato protection.
Asked on Wednesday, if Finland would be provoking Russia by joining Nato, Mr Niinistö said Russian president Vladimir Putin would be to blame for any decision to join the military alliance. “My response would be that you caused this. Look at the mirror,” Mr Niinistö said.
Speaking after signing the pact with the UK, Mr Niinistö said he did not view joining the military alliance as a “zero sum game”. “Joining Nato would not be against anybody.”
Baltic countries, which were once ruled from Moscow and are now members of Nato, welcomed Finland’s announcement.
“Finland decided to join the alliance. Nato is about to get stronger. Baltics about to get safer,” Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said.
Russia has repeatedly warned both countries against joining Nato. As recently as March 12th its foreign ministry said “there will be serious military and political consequences” if they do.
Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has previously said it would be possible to allow Finland and Sweden to join “quite quickly”. – Reuters