Despite Russia threatening military consequences if it becomes a member of the NATO military alliance, Finland appears to be getting closer to joining.
A recent survey showed a majority of the country in support of membership in NATO, as well as politicians pointing to the possibility of the country joining soon.
Sanna Marin said on Saturday that the decision on whether or not to join should happen this spring, the Financial Times reported.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on March 31 that he expected NATO to allow the country to join quickly.
He said that if they apply, they will be welcomed and that we will find a way to quickly agree the accession protocol and follow up on a membership of Finland.
The National Coalition party supports NATO membership.
In order to improve our security and guarantee our independence, we should join NATO according to the leader of the party. We still have an aggressive neighbor.
There is a long border with Russia.
Should it decide to join Russia has threatened it.
In March, a Russian foreign ministry official warned of serious military and political consequences if a neighbor tried to join.
Putin used the possibility of NATO expanding further eastward as a reason for his invasion of Ukraine. He said that Russia's invasion was an act of self-defense against the alliance.
Public support for joining the alliance appears to have increased.
A survey done by the Eva think tank in March found that 60 percent of the people in the country supported joining NATO, a huge jump from previous years.
If Russia sees NATO as an act of aggression, it could endanger its own security.
President Sauli Niinist said last month that applying for NATO membership would be a major risk.
The Russian Empire once had a part in the country. After gaining independence, it was invaded by the Soviet Union in 1939.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
