This map also does not reflect the 30th member state, North Macedonia, which joined in 2020. Finland's accession, ending seven decades of military non-alignment, roughly doubles the length of the border the North Atlantic Treaty Organization shares with Russia and bolsters its eastern flank as the war in Ukraine grinds on with no resolution in sight. Historian Henrik Meinander said Finns were mentally prepared for membership, following a succession of small steps towards Nato since the fall of the Soviet Union. Finland joined the NATO military alliance on Tuesday. JOHN THYS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images NATO has repeatedly stressed that it is solely a defensive alliance and does not threaten Russia. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. 04:55 - Source: CNN. Finland's bid to join Nato has finally secured the backing of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Sweden and Finland are set formally to end decades of neutrality and join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in a historic breakthrough for the alliance that deals a blow to Russian . Finland is on the verge of asking to join NATO. The border between NATO and Russia has basically been doubled in size and length, says Lagadec, adding that once Sweden joins, the Baltic Sea will become a NATO lake that will help the alliance arm the Baltic region. It looked to the West and sought to free itself from the Soviet sphere of influence. hide caption. Helsinki's journey to accession has lasted less than a year, and Tuesday's ceremony coincides with the 74th anniversary of Nato's founding in 1949. After years of public opposition to joining NATO inside. When you pave the way for Turkey, we'll pave the . Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. "When Putin launched his brutal war of aggression against the people of Ukraine, he thought he could divide Europe and NATO. Finland's neutrality was very different. Turkey's Erdogan seals deal on Finland joining Nato - BBC News The risk of conflict in Asia, where China may attack Taiwan, could abruptly reshuffle the USs priorities. Under Article Five, Finland has - and Sweden will - soon have the commitment of the entire alliance to come to their aid if they come under attack. The claim could not be immediately verified. When you add a country, you are both adding a vote and potentially adding a veto. ". Finland has its own history with Moscow, having been invaded by the Soviet Union in 1939, and since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, support for joining NATO within Finlandhas skyrocketed from about a quarter of the population, to 80%. In dropping non-alignment, Russia's Foreign Ministry said, Finland was committing a dangerous historical mistake that would fray relations with Moscow and undo its status as a confidence-building presence in the Baltic Sea and Europe at large. CNN . Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. As the alliance grows it will become even more important to ensure consensus among member nations, says Rizzo. In a statement, President Joe Biden praised the addition of Finland to NATO, and pointed out it was the fastest ratification process in NATO's modern history. The Finnish foreign minister handed the accession document to the US secretary of state who declared Finland a member. In Virolahti, near the Russian border, retired combat engineer Ilkka Lansivaara, 70 - whose father was an air force pilot in World War Two - had hung a NATO flag from the side of his house. Hungary and Turkey - both NATO members - have resisted; Turkey accuses Sweden of harboring Kurdish separatists whom it regards as terrorists. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstroem told reporters it was Stockholm's ambition to become a member at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "It's a special day for Finland. The Soviet Unions collapse enabled Finland to pursue a fully independent foreign policy and together with Sweden join the European Union in 1995. Its short attention span: invade, make a mess, abandon. Besides, since Russias 2014 seizure of Crimea, Finlands 2.80 lakh-member defence forces have been rejigged to respond to Russian-style hybrid warfare. Putin says Russia has stockpiled cluster bombs and will use them in Ukraine if needed, Bulgaria closing in on deal to sell two Russian-made nuclear reactors to Ukraine: Report, Wimbledon 2023: Djokovic looks to equal Federer, Swiatek hopes to crack grass code and other talking points, Explained: Why Finland wants to join NATO and why Russia has objections to it. According to a report by Al Jazeera, Finlands Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Wednesday that discussions on possible NATO membership should take place at several levels with a view to establishing a national consensus. For the most part, Finns went about their business as usual on the bright cold day, belying the historic nature of Finland becoming the 31st member of NATO. With Russia bogged down in Ukraine, it is unlikely that Moscow will open a new warfront. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Last May, Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO on the same day, hoping to be accepted together. Turkey's Erdogan seals deal on Finland joining Nato. Turkey had blocked Finland's application for months, complaining it had supported "terrorists . If Sweden's neutrality was a matter of identity and ideology, in Finland it was a question of existence, said Henrik Meinander. But that is history now. July 5, 2022 | By Jim Garamone , DOD News | During a ceremony in Brussels, NATO ambassadors today signed the accession protocols that will move Finland and Sweden a step closer to joining the. Susan Walsh/AP Some NATO members, including the United States, feel that Ukraine cannot join the alliance until Russia . In some ways, not much. Nato will now have seven members on the Baltic Sea, further isolating Russia's coastal access to St Petersburg and its small exclave of Kaliningrad. Finland-NATO relations - Wikipedia pic.twitter.com/ajyjRf3iYk. Finland officially joined the. Finland was admitted in April, but Sweden's accession has been blocked by Turkey, one of NATO 's 31 members, ostensibly because the Nordic country harbours Kurdish separatists. Finnish President Saul Niinisto said Finland's most significant contribution to NATO's common deterrence and defence would be to defend its own territory. Responding to the conversations of Finland mulling to join NATO has Russia upset, as Russias foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova announced that if Sweden and Finland were to become members of NATO, the move would have serious military and political consequences. "For almost 75 years, this great alliance has shielded our nations and continues to do so today," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg declared at the ceremony. In 2018, every household received army pamphlets titled "if crisis or war comes" - the first time they were sent out since 1991. NATO is experiencing a renaissance. "It is a great day for Finland," said Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, proclaiming a new era for his country. Hungary is also yet to approve Sweden joining. Read all the Latest News, Trending News,Cricket News, Bollywood News, The country has had an on and off relationship with Russia going back centuries. Finnish leaders obviously felt that it was better to be inside the alliance and reduce that sort of risk of this limbo period even if Sweden weren't there. Nevertheless, post-Cold War, Finland and Sweden preferred military non-alignment to joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the western military allianceuntil Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. What became clear was that to ensure territorial integrity they needed to join NATO, because NATO deterrence works.. Finland joining NATO would have both practical and symbolic consequences for Russia and the Western alliance. The Secretary General then welcomed Finnish President Sauli Niinist to NATO Headquarters for a flag-raising ceremony to mark the countrys accession to the Alliance. Finnish military personnel install the Finnish national flag at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, April 4, 2023. Andrew is a senior correspondent for European security and diplomacy, based in Brussels. A NATO that includes Finland overnight doubles the alliances land borders with Russia. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday that Russia's short-range Iskander-M ballistic missile system had been handed over to Belarus and was capable of carrying nuclear as well as conventional weapons. Turkey agreed on Monday to clear the way for Sweden to join NATO, a sudden reversal just hours after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the European Union should first advance . And the countrys conscription-based reserves total 900,000, according to The Wilson Center. Finland joins NATO, doubling alliance's border with Russia in - CNN Both countries' applications were held up by existing NATO member Turkey, however, with Ankara aggravated by support within the Nordic nations for Turkish opposition groups and Sweden allowing a protest that involved the burning of a Quran. The next US president could be an anti-Atlanticist like Donald Trump or Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Sweden, Finland Move Closer to NATO Membership HELSINKI/BRUSSELS, April 4 (Reuters) - Finland formally joined NATO on Tuesday, its flag unfurling outside the military bloc's Brussels headquarters, in a historic policy shift brought on by Russia's invasion of Ukraine that drew a threat from Moscow of "counter-measures.". It also nurtures close defence ties with both the UK and the US. In the light of the ongoing armed assault on Ukraine by Russia, Finland has been mulling reviewing its security policy to decide whether to join NATO. Turkey, and to a lesser extent Hungary, initially resisted both applications. It had its own currency and an almost free of interference administration, however, Finnish was not an official language till 1902. However, Finlands interest in joining NATO also lies in its shared complicated history with Russia. "Based on that, measures will be taken," the Kremlin spokesman said. Since the end of the Cold War three decades ago, Moscow has watched successive waves of NATO enlargement, and the issue was contentious even before the invasion of Ukraine. Kurds make up 15-20% of Turkey's population, and have been persecuted by Turkish authorities for generations. As Finland gets NATO membership, here's what it means and why it Wimbledon 2023 talking points: Novak Djokovic is the clear favourite at All England Club. A pro-Russian hacker group known as NoName057 (16) claimed responsibility, saying the attack was retaliation for Finland joining NATO. The two countries will for the first time have security guarantees from nuclear states under Nato's Article 5, which views an attack on one member state as an attack on all. Here's Everything You Need to Know. Nato's border with Russia doubles as Finland joins - BBC News Erdogan agrees to send vote on Sweden's NATO accession to Turkish We have more exercises, we have more presence, also in the Nordic area," he said. "Both countries are strong democracies with highly capable militaries, who share our values and vision for the world," President Biden said. There really is an ability for Erdogan to use this as a political tool to help bolster his position at home and to be seen as a strong leader, says Rizzo. The West's refusal to send troops into non-NATO member Ukraine to help it defend itself, however, laid bare the risks of non-alliance. Sweden updated its terror laws in June 2023 to outlaw taking part in an extremist group in a way that supported it - and weeks later a Kurdish man was jailed for attempting to finance terrorism. It was in late 1939 that the Soviets invaded Finland. Turkey and Hungary have each raised issues they have with Sweden they would like addressed before ratification could take place. The majority saw a smarter role for Finland as the economic and diplomatic bridge between Russia and the west. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Sweden is still waiting to join. Finland Officially Joins NATO: Everything You Need to Know | Time North Macedonia is its latest member, it joined in 2020. "This is now a thing of the past. "Finland has a highly capable military and has been an active participant in NATO-led operations; it also shares our values and strong democratic institutions," said the top U.S. diplomat. If Putins goal is neo-imperialism, theres no reason why Finland shouldnt be next, says Lagadec. I am deeply proud to welcome Finland as a full-fledged member of our Alliance and I look forward to also welcoming Sweden as soon as possible, he said. VideoThe surprising truth behind the 'walking' statues of Easter Island, Jane Birkin: Artist and style icon's life in pictures, How world-record mania has gripped Nigeria. Extreme heat intensifies across south-west US, Iran's morality police to resume headscarf patrols, Crimea bridge closed following 'emergency'. Both countries were concerned about growing Russian aggression following the Ukrainian invasion. After the collapse of the USSR, more countries joined the alliance and it has more than doubled in size. "Security and stability are those elements which we feel very strongly; if people can live in secure stable circumstances that's the basic element of happy life.". Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov separately told reporters that Finland's accession to NATO was forcing Moscow to take countermeasures to ensure its security. In the collective history of both the countries there have been wars and sufferings starting from 1808 when Russia took Finland from Sweden. Sweden's application has for now become stuck, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accusing Stockholm of embracing Kurdish militants and allowing them to demonstrate on the streets. In President Biden's statement on Tuesday, he pointed out that both Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership at the same time, close to a year ago. Ukrainian troops say U.S. weapons helping pin Russians "in a trap", Ukraine can join NATO when "conditions are met," leaders say, Russian military recruitment official shot dead while jogging, Biden lauds NATO deal to welcome Sweden, but Ukraine sees "weakness", Front-line Ukraine clinic hit with carnage from a cluster bomb strike. What those measures would be is still vague. Finland lost its foreign policy autonomy under the Cold War, was forced into a Friendship and Cooperation Treaty with the Soviet Union, endured restrictions on its armed forces and lived with a Soviet military base near its capital, Helsinki. With inputs from agencies. Russia has major nuclear capabilities in the Kola Peninsula, which is close to both Finland and NATO Norway. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. How Sweden and Finland went from neutral to Nato - BBC News US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was "tempted to say this is maybe the one thing we can thank Mr Putin for, because he once again here has precipitated something he claims to want to prevent by Russia's aggression". Simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies took place at Allied Command Operations (SHAPE) in Mons (Belgium) and Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia (United States). It, too, is an area where western interests will be contested in the months and years to come. "Finland's a terrific ally, very capable, shares our values and we expect a seamless transition into its proper seat at the table," US ambassador to Nato Julianne Smith told the BBC. After years of public opposition to joining NATO inside Finland, polling now shows Finns embrace the move. Video, The surprising truth behind the 'walking' statues of Easter Island, Australian man and his dog survive months at sea, Russia seizes control of Danone and Carlsberg units, Twitter loses half ad revenue since Musk takeover, Swimmers injured in dolphin attacks on Japan beach, Fan taking selfie causes Tour de France crash, 'French icon' actress Jane Birkin dies aged 76. The Finnish national anthem and the NATO hymn were played, as Finlands flag was raised outside NATO Headquarters for the first time, in the presence of President Niinist, Foreign Minister Haavisto, Defence Minister Kaikkonen, the foreign ministers of all NATO Allies and invitee Sweden. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. The move was met with resistance from Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but, after Finnish President Sauli Niinisto met with Erdogan last month, Finland was able to move forward with its bid without Sweden. His main demand was to end political, financial and "arms support" to militants. Says Bergmann, There is no way Washington will be able to maintain the current level of diplomatic engagement. Picture taken on May 4, 2022 shows a Leopard battle tank of the Armoured Brigade during the Arrow 22 exercise at the Niinisalo garrison in Kankaanp, western Finland. But the threat of invasion meant that was no longer enough. They fought a war against Russia in the 1930s and into the 1940s for their own self-defense against the Soviet Union, and they kept that up through the Cold War. Of all European countries, Finland has the longest border with Russia. Here's why that's bad news for Putin Russia currently shares about 755 miles of land border with five NATO members, according to the alliance. By Haley Ott Updated on: April 4, 2023 / 10:34 AM / CBS News Finland became the 31st member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO on Tuesday. Finlands membership with NATO was celebrated as a move that makes that country safer and adds global strength by doubling NATOs border with Russia. It came about as a condition of peace imposed by the Soviet Union in a 1948 "friendship agreement". In the light of the ongoing armed assault on Ukraine by Russia, Finland has been mulling reviewing its security policy to decide whether to join NATO. Before he launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin had long complained of NATO's eastward expansion in Europe and sought to prevent additional countries from joining. Finland is Russia's immediate neighbor to the west. "Until now, we have defended our country alone," Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen told public broadcaster YLE on arrival in Brussels. Three years later, it joined the European Union, alongside Sweden, and every Finnish government since then has reviewed the so-called Nato option. Finland is joinin NATO but at what cost? : NPR Public support for Finland joining NATO jumped from one third of Finns in 2018 to almost 80% in 2022, according to a poll by Finnish broadcaster YLE. Finland's accession brings NATO significant military capabilities. Biden was attending the NATO summit and was heading to Helsinki, Finland. ", Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Even though it aims to resolve disputes through peaceful negotiations, it can also undertake military actions under the collective defence clause of NATOs founding treaty. ", As a result, she says, they bring a long view to NATO that is "a lot of other European states could learn from.". Now, the country will be protected by Article Five, the alliances mutual defense clause that ensures member countries mutual protection. Why is Turkey blocking Sweden from joining NATO? - The Economist Sport's strictest dress code finally relents. Finland joins NATO in historic shift, Russia threatens 'counter Putin announces agreement to station nuclear weapons in Belarus. In effect, it means if Finland were invaded or attacked, all Nato members - including the US - would come to its aid. NATOs northern grip intends to keep Russia at bay also in the Arctic. "But war has returned to Europe and Finland has decided to join NATO and be part of the world's most successful alliance.". Axios Explains: Ukraine Why NATO formed, why Finland joined and why Sweden wants to join Erin Doherty Data: NATO; Map: Axios Visuals Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly pointed to NATO's post-Cold War enlargement as one of the many reasons for his invasion of Ukraine. Turkey Agrees to Support Sweden's NATO Bid - The New York Times 2023 - | Last updated: 04 Apr. Mr Stoltenberg said the most important thing was that Sweden joined as soon as possible and the Finnish president said he looked forward to welcoming his Nordic neighbour at Nato's next summit in Lithuania in July. Finland, a neighbouring country of Russia that shares a 1,340 km border with it, has been contemplating shedding its neutrality and joining NATO, a move that Russia has vocally despised. People in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, only about 150 km (93 miles) from the Finnish border, said Finland would make problems for itself by joining NATO. Also read: The making of war: The complicated history of Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Germany explained. From Impossible War to Improbable Peace. Joining NATO assures Finland's security, but increases threat perceptions from Russia. Finland's parliament had already voted. Haley Ott is an international reporter for CBS News based in London. Russia has said it will bolster its own defenses in the west and northwest of its territory as a response to NATO's expansion. Russia's invasion prompted a surge in Finnish public opinion towards joining Nato to 80% in favour. Says Marten, The inclusion of Finland and Sweden will alter the balance of power in the region.. Russia's foreign ministry said both Sweden and Finland had been warned of the consequences if they did choose to join. Finland shares a 832 mile border with Russia. Europe cannot ignore the messier challenges in the Mediterranean, warns Thibault Muzergues, author of War in Europe? Putin announced he was moving nuclear weapons to southern Belarus that borders Ukraine. Finlands head of state, President Sauli Niinist, knows Putin well (even played hockey with him) and was seen as a political interpreter in relations between Europe and Russia. Finland became the 31st member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO on Tuesday. Max Bergmann, former US state department official The Ukraine invasion was Putin's plan to stop an expanding NATO in its tracks. Turkey says Stockholm harbours members of what Ankara considers terrorist groups - which Sweden denies - and has demanded their extradition as a step toward ratification. The Europeans who were dragging their feet fell into lockstep when the invasion happened, and increased their defence budget. Finland abandoned its neutrality after the Soviet Union collapsed. / CBS News. India News and Entertainment News here. By Phelan Chatterjee BBC News Sweden is now set to join neighbouring Finland as a new Nato member, after Turkey's president withdrew a series of objections. Magazines, Digital Sweden's military capacity is far smaller at 57,000. The Finnish foreign minister handed the accession document. "They have to basically accept that Sweden is outside and Finland is inside for right now. NAO considers an attack on one or several of its members as an attack against all. All these countries except Cyprus have joined the Partnership for Peace programme, while Sweden and Finland signed a . Some Belarusian fighter jets were also capable of carrying nuclear weapons, he said. The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals. Finland, Sweden brush off Moscow's warning on joining NATO Firstpost - All Rights Reserved. By Paul Kirby in London & Jonathan Beale in Brussels, Finnish military personnel raised their country's flag at Nato headquarters for the first time, Finland will get an iron-clad security guarantee. Analysis: What Turkey Wants to Let Finland and Sweden Into NATO For more than three months the Finnish army put up fierce resistance, despite being heavily outnumbered. U.S. President Joe Biden noted the development comes on the 74th anniversary of the signing of NATO's founding treaty on April 4, 1949. This complicated peace efforts, she said, and made Sweden a less safe place. The burnt out villages at frontlines of India violence, Nigeria's 'tax collectors': Menacing and mafia-like, The Capitol rioters who regret saying sorry, The surprising truth behind the 'walking' statues of Easter Island. A bigger problem, however, is what former NATO secretary general Lord George Robertson, called American schizophreniaAmericas strong but contradictory impulses to invade and exit. "He is getting exactly the opposite Finland today, and soon also Sweden will become a full-fledged member of the alliance," Stoltenberg said. Here's Everything You Need to Know By Simmone Shah April 4, 2023 8:46 AM EDT F inland became the 31st member of NATO today, in a swift journey that began. The U.S. State Department is the repository of NATO texts concerning membership. Finland's era of strategic non-alignment began after the country repelled an attempted Soviet invasion during World War Two and opted to maintain friendly relations with neighbouring Russia. Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin granted Finland independence after the Russian Revolution in 1917. All Rights Reserved. See map of which countries are NATO members - CBS News The two Nordic states have long maintained military neutrality, but that changed in February 2022 when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine - the biggest war on the European continent since World War Two. Obviously, the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, which is primarily a military alliance as you well understand, would have serious military and political consequences, which would require our country to make response steps, Zakharova had added. This is really an historic day. Turkey has agreed to allow Sweden to join NATO after closed-door negotiations between NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and the leaders of the two countries ahead of a NATO summit in . Finlands acceptance is a win for both sides, says the Atlantic Councils Rizzo. In 1992, Helsinki bought 64 US combat planes. Its purpose was to ensure collective security against the Soviet Union. And of course, we are ready to help should someone be in trouble. The move is a strategic and political blow to Russia President Vladimir Putin, who has long complained about NATO's expansion toward Russia. Now for Putin, too, 1,340 is a troubling statistic. Emma Ashford, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center's Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy Program, says that the Finnish people "have a long history of self-defense, resilience. It spent a century inside the Russian empire before gaining independence in 1917. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital There is still significant work to be done to coordinate this with NATO, he said. Says Max Bergmann, former US state department official, NATO is experiencing a renaissance. Says former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt, Their inclusion will transform European security. Magazines, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Finland Has Officially Joined NATO. But some analysts warn that European states become less self-reliant once they enter NATO, and more reliant on the US military capabilities. "Today, as Finland's flag will fly over NATO headquarters for the first time, we stand more united than ever," she said. He covers NATO and the foreign policy of the European Union. According to the official website of NATO, it is an alliance of countries from Europe and North America. When it comes to choosing to fight the Russian Bear or the Chinese Dragon, the American Bald-Eagle would dismiss Putin as a paper tiger. VideoThe surprising truth behind the 'walking' statues of Easter Island, Jane Birkin: Artist and style icon's life in pictures, How world-record mania has gripped Nigeria.