After three decades of military non-alignment, Finland officially became NATO’s 31st member on Tuesday, a “historic day” for the Alliance that sparked the wrath of Russia. “We declare Finland the 31st member of the Alliance with the receipt of these documents”, launched the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken, whose country is the depositary of the North Atlantic treaty, during a brief ceremony at the headquarters. of NATO in Brussels.
Joe Biden says he is “proud” to welcome Finland to NATO
US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday he was “proud” to welcome Finland to NATO, of which it has just become the 31st member country. “When Vladimir Putin launched his brutal war of aggression against the Ukrainian people, he thought he could divide Europe and NATO. He was wrong. Today we are more united than ever,” Biden said. in a press release. He also said he “looks forward” to welcoming Sweden into the Alliance “as soon as possible”.
“It is of course a great day for Finland (…) It is also a good thing for NATO,” Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen said before the ceremony. The US Secretary of State, who was given the membership documents, and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg hailed a “historic day”. “I’m tempted to say that maybe that’s the only thing you can thank Russian President Vladimir Putin for, because he once again precipitated something he said he wanted to avoid by attacking.” Ukraine, commented Antony Blinken. Moscow denounced an “attack” on its security and promised “countermeasures”.
50% of the world’s military power
The Nordic country, which shares a 1,300 kilometer long border with Russia, became the 31st member of the Alliance on the anniversary of its creation, April 4, 1949. The Finnish flag was yet to be raised in the courtyard of honor of the headquarters of the organization in Brussels at 3:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. GMT), between those of Estonia and France, following alphabetical order. “Finland is now safe,” said Jens Stoltenberg. “Together, the NATO Allies represent 50% of the world’s military power. So as long as we stand united, protect each other and do so credibly, there will be no military attack. against a NATO ally,” he said.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia upset security in Europe and reshuffled the cards, pushing Finland and Sweden to want to join the protective umbrella of NATO. By joining NATO, Finland, which was invaded by the Soviet Union in 1939, doubles the length of the border with Russia of the US-led alliance. She gets the protection of Article 5, the Collective Defense Pledge that an attack on one member “shall be considered an attack on all members.”
Sweden delayed by Turkey and Hungary
Objections from Turkey and Hungary have delayed Helsinki’s membership for months, and are still blocking Stockholm’s. “I am absolutely confident that Sweden will also become a member. It is, for NATO, for me, a priority to ensure that this will happen as quickly as possible”, assured Jens Stoltenberg. Sweden must join NATO “without delay” because with these 2 countries our Alliance will be stronger to ensure the security of the Euro-Atlantic area, declared the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna.
“We hope that the Swedish flag will fly in NATO for the Vilnius summit,” commented his Lithuanian counterpart Gabrielus Landbsergis. “I call on President Erdogan not to ruin the Vilnius summit,” he said. Chance of the alphabetical order, the colors of Sweden would then be hoisted between those of Spain and Turkey.