By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL- On May 12, Finland announced its plan to join NATO with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin confirming their country’s intention to join the military alliance “without delay.” And just a few days ago, Sweden announced that it will follow Finland in applying for NATO membership with Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson stating on Sunday that “The best thing for the security of Sweden and the Swedish people is to join NATO.” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg speaking at a press conference said that both Finland and Sweden would be welcomed into NATO and that NATO has worked closely with both countries for decades. Stoltenberg lauded Finland’s announcement and in a statement said: “Should Finland decide to apply, they would be warmly welcomed into NATO, and the accession process would be smooth and swift.” He also referenced Sweden’s navy which is the largest in the world and said it would be a great advantage to also have Sweden as a NATO member. The NATO chief said that Finland being a NATO member “would strengthen both NATO and Finland’s security.” Stoltenberg also emphasized: “Finland is one of NATO’s closest partners, a mature democracy, a member of the European Union, and an important contributor to Euro-Atlantic security.” The mitigating factor that led both previously neutral nations to join NATO was Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and as both leaders referenced, a new security order in Europe.
Meanwhile, what has truly astonished analysts and experts on Russia is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s new reaction on Monday, to Finland and Sweden deciding to join NATO. Though initially, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the press in Moscow that NATO expanding eastward does “not contribute to security in Eurasia” and further stated, “We will analyze the situation with Finland’s (possible) accession of NATO and will develop the necessary measures to ensure security.” On Monday, Putin told the press that Finland and Sweden joining NATO posed no threat to Russia but cautioned the U.S. about increasing a military presence in the Nordic nations. As Putin commented: “As to enlargement, Russia has no problem with these states – none. And so, in this sense, there is no immediate threat to Russia from an expansion (of NATO) to include these countries.” Putin made the comments to the leaders of a Russian-dominated military alliance of former Soviet states.
Putin told the leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) “But the expansion of military infrastructure into this territory would certainly provoke our response.” The Russian leader added, “What that (response) will be – we will see what threats are created for us.” The CSTO nations include Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Last week, Pesko commented at a press conference that Finland joining NATO “definitely” poses a security threat to Russia. Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council and a close Putin ally Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia would have to strengthen its land, naval and air forces in the Baltic Sea if Sweden and Finland join NATO. Finland shares an 810-mile border with Russia.
