Finland insists it has the right to join Nato, in defiance of Russia’s demands

Russia’s conflict with Ukraine has sparked controversy in Finland over whether Nordic should take part in Nato, rejecting Moscow’s demands to reduce the escalation of hostilities in Europe.

President Saul Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin used their New Year’s address addresses to ensure that Finland retains the opportunity to seek Nato membership at any time.

“Let it be said: The Finnish dictatorship and freedom of choice also include the opportunity to join the military and apply for Nato membership, if we choose to do so,” Niinisto said. he said.

Marin he added In a statement stating that each state has the right to make its own decisions, he stressed: “We have shown that we have learned from the past. We will not leave our room to start driving.

Like Russia gathered about 100,000 troops At the eastern border of Ukraine, Washington, Moscow and NATO member states met in early January. US President Joe Biden is due to address Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, has said before refused to ban military and has warned that he has “all kinds” of options as he wants “security guarantees” to reduce the spread of NATO is not being achieved.

Finland is Sweden both are non-aligned but have a growing alliance with Nato as well as strong ties between the two countries and members of the alliance such as the US, Norway and the UK.

There is no suggestion that Finland is about to apply for Nato membership, but Russia’s actions on the Ukrainian border are a list of pre-Christmas demands. internal conflict in Helsinki to the last level after the Russian occupation of Crimea.

Niinisto also warned in the West that it could empower Russia if it eliminates the threat of war. Referring to former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, a Finnish president, the Finnish president stated: “As long as the war is a major focus of the ruling party, the international community has been sympathetic to its tyrannical member.”

Petteri Orpo, leader of the main opposition National Coalition, who has been supporting Nato membership for a long time, also said it was time to discuss whether Finland should register and hoped joining would improve its security and that of its neighbors.

“Russia has recently stated that membership of Nato in Finland and Sweden will force the resumption of hostilities. Orpo he said Thursday by posting on his party page.

Atte Harjanne, co-founder and head of the Green Parliamentary Party, a member of the five-party ruling party, he said disputes for Finland to join were “encouraged” and that the country should join immediately.

Leading political leaders in all three Baltic countries believe that Finnish and Swedish diplomatic relations with Nato are crucial to improving security in Russia’s western border amid concerns not only Ukraine but Belarus and its countries. exploitation of refugees testing Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.

Finland and Sweden joining Nato “could make northern Europe more stable and secure,” he said Marko Mihkelson, head of Estonia’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee.

Finland is one of the few countries in Europe that has not passed much the army power after the Cold War as its border 1,340km long with Russia, as well as the commemoration of the horrific 1939-40 cold war against the Soviet Union, ensured that security issues remained a priority.

Finland also maintained close and trade relations with Russia, with security experts saying Niinisto may be Europe’s leader. highly respected and his Russian counterpart Putin, with whom he regularly talks.