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Finland joins Nato in historic shift, Russia threatens ‘counter-measures’ – World

Finland formally joined Nato on Tuesday, its flag unfurling exterior the army bloc’s Brussels headquarters, in a historic coverage shift introduced on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, drawing a risk from Moscow of “counter-measures”.

Finland’s accession roughly doubles the size of the border that Nato shares with Russia and bolsters its japanese flank because the struggle in Ukraine grinds on with no decision in sight.

Finnish International Minister Pekka Haavisto accomplished the accession course of by handing over an official doc to US State Secretary Antony Blinken at Nato’s HQ.

Finland’s flag — a blue cross on a white background — was hoisted alongside these of the alliance’s 30 different members as a army band performed in brilliant sunshine.

“For nearly 75 years, this nice alliance has shielded our nations and continues to take action as we speak,” Nato Secretary-Normal Jens Stoltenberg declared on the ceremony.

“However struggle has returned to Europe and Finland has determined to affix Nato and be a part of the world’s most profitable alliance.”

Stoltenberg earlier famous that Russian President Vladimir Putin had cited opposition to Nato’s eastward enlargement as one justification for invading Ukraine.

“He’s getting precisely the alternative […] Finland as we speak, and shortly additionally Sweden will turn into a full fledged member of the alliance,” Stoltenberg stated in Brussels.

Finnish President Saul Niinisto stated Finland’s most vital contribution to Nato’s widespread deterrence and defence can be to defend its personal territory. There’s nonetheless vital work to be completed to coordinate this with NATO, he stated.

“It’s a nice day for Finland and I need to say that it is a crucial day for Nato,” Niinisto stated at a joint information convention with Stoltenberg.

The Kremlin stated Russia can be compelled to take “counter-measures” to Finland’s accession. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu stated the transfer raised the prospect of the battle in Ukraine escalating additional.

Russia had stated on Monday it might strengthen its army capability in its western and northwestern areas in response to Finland becoming a member of Nato.

The Ukrainian authorities additionally hailed Finland’s transfer. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of workers Andriy Yermak wrote on Telegram: “FI made the correct selection. Nato can be a key objective for Ukraine.”

invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 prompted Finns to hunt safety beneath Nato’s collective defence pact, which states that an assault on one member is an assault on all.

Moscow, which lengthy criticised the transfer, reacted crossly.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated the Nato growth was an “encroachment on our safety and on Russia’s nationwide pursuits”.

Moscow would watch carefully for any Nato army deployments in Finland, he stated.

Because the finish of the Chilly Struggle three many years in the past, Moscow has watched successive waves of Nato enlargement to the previously communist east of Europe with consternation, and the difficulty was a bone of rivalry even earlier than the invasion of Ukraine.

Nato has repeatedly confused that it’s solely a defensive alliance and doesn’t threaten Russia. Moscow says the funnelling of heavy weaponry to Ukraine by Nato nations for the reason that struggle started proves the West is bent on destroying Russia.

Finland’s accession brings Nato vital army capabilities developed over time because it is without doubt one of the few European nations to have retained a conscription military by way of many years of peace, cautious of Russia subsequent door.

As well as, Finland’s floor, naval and air forces are all skilled and geared up with one major intention — to repel any Russian assault.

On their strategy to work on Tuesday, Helsinki residents welcomed Finland’s entry into Nato, saying they felt safer.

“I really feel it’s factor that Finland is becoming a member of Nato. Now we have been right here subsequent to Russia for ages,” stated Outi Lantimaki, 59, a designer at a shipyard.

“My father was within the struggle with the Russians so this is sort of a private factor to me.”

Folks within the Russian metropolis of St Petersburg, solely out 150km from the Finnish border, stated Finland could possibly be making issues for itself by becoming a member of Nato.

“I don’t suppose it is a very nice factor as a result of we had good, neighbourly relations with Finland for fairly a very long time. It becoming a member of Nato isn’t primarily based on something. However I hope motive will prevail and that there’ll be no dangerous, army conflicts after this,” stated one resident who gave his title solely as Alexi.

Finland and its Nordic neighbour Sweden utilized collectively final 12 months to affix Nato, however the Swedish software has been held up by Nato members Turkey and Hungary.

Swedish International Minister Tobias Billstroem instructed reporters it was Stockholm’s ambition to turn into a member on the Nato summit in Vilnius in July.

Turkey says Stockholm harbours members of what Ankara considers terrorist teams — an accusation Sweden denies — and has demanded their extradition as a step towards ratifying Swedish membership.

Hungary cites grievances over criticism of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s document on democracy and rule of legislation.


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