How The World Has Reacted to Finland's NATO Membership

Only a year since their original application, Finland has officially been accepted as the 31st member of NATO. The once non-allied nation has, for the first time in decades, joined a military alliance. Finland’s decision has sparked many varying reactions from different nations. 

Finland’s road to NATO acceptance, although unexpectedly swift, didn’t go over without trouble. Notably, Turkey barred Finland’s entrance for a long time, showing discontent with their support of nationalist groups within Turkey. However, Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s president, eventually approved Finlands membership, saying that they had taken “authentic and concrete steps” to ensure Turkey’s safety from what they deem as terrorists. Swedens request to join NATO was blocked for similar reasons, particularly their allowance of pro Kurdistan demonstrations in Stockholm. Unlike with Finland, Turkey has not backed down on their disapproval.

In an interview with former Finnish prime minister, Alexander Stubb, CNN unearthed the reasons for Finland's application in February of 2022. The Finnish military, he said, is relatively weak compared to most European nations, with 900,000 reserve troops and 200,000 in active forces. Finland had never sought protection from outside nations since World War II, but Russia’s unexpected invasion of Ukraine served as a wake up call that they needed protection. Stubb describes the shift in Finland's ideology as “happening overnight.” At the time of their application, 50% of Finnish citizens approved of joining NATO; now, that number is around 80%.

Moscow has reacted to this news with expected disapproval. Alexander Grushko, the deputy foreign minister of Russia said the nation will be bolstering its military presence along the Finnish border. Twelve new military units have been assembled to gaurd the northwest region of the country, says Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu. Russia views the new member as NATO’s attempt to pressure them out of the war in Ukraine.

Finland's acceptance has proven tactically useful as well, doubling NATO’s border with Russia overnight. 

Finland’s official acceptance into NATO will happen at it’s next summit in July. Jens Stoltenburg, NATO’s secretary general since 2014, said that he “Looks forward to raising Finland's flag at NATO HQ in the coming days.”

By Christopher Eckl