“Finland Joins NATO: Doubling Border with Russia and Strengthening Global Security”- UPSC

Finland Joins NATO on 4 April 2023, and became the 31st member of the NATO security alliance, doubling the length of member states’ borders with Russia. Finland’s foreign minister handed the accession document to the US secretary of state, who declared Finland a member. Finland’s accession is seen as a setback for Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who had repeatedly complained about NATO’s expansion before his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that by attacking its neighbor, the Russian leader had triggered exactly what he had sought to prevent. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Russia would be “watching closely” what happens in Finland, describing NATO’s enlargement as a “violation of our security and our national interests.” A military band played Finland’s national anthem followed by the NATO hymn.

Finland shares a 1,340-km (832-mile) eastern frontier with Russia, and after the war in Ukraine began, Helsinki chose the protection of NATO’s Article Five, which says an attack on one member is an attack on all. In effect, it means if Finland were invaded or attacked, all NATO members would come to its aid. Russia’s invasion prompted a surge in Finnish public opinion towards joining NATO, with 80% in favor.

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“This will make Finland safer and NATO stronger,” said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, describing it as a proud day for him and the alliance. Finland brings with it a well-equipped and trained, active armed force of about 30,000. It can also call on 250,000 reserves.

As he handed over the accession document to Mr. Blinken, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said he had a very important initial task: “The task is to give to you for the deposit also our ratification for Swedish membership.” Mr. Stoltenberg said the most important thing was that Sweden joined as soon as possible, and the Finnish president said he looked forward to welcoming his Nordic neighbor at NATO’s next summit in Lithuania in July.

Helsinki’s journey to accession has lasted less than a year, and Tuesday’s ceremony coincides with the 74th anniversary of NATO’s founding in 1949. “Finland’s a terrific ally, very capable, shares our values and we expect a seamless transition into its proper seat at the table,” US ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith told the BBC.

The Kremlin said that Russia was being forced to take counter-measures to ensure its own security, tactically and strategically, but pointed out it had never had disagreements with Helsinki in the way that Ukraine had become “anti-Russian.” Meanwhile, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday that Russia’s short-range Iskander-M ballistic missile system had been handed over to Belarus and was capable of carrying nuclear as well as conventional weapons. Some Belarusian fighter jets were also capable of carrying nuclear weapons, he said.

Jens Stoltenberg said NATO had not yet seen any changes to Russia’s nuclear posture that would require any change by the alliance. He added there would be no NATO troops stationed in Finland without the consent of the government in Helsinki. NATO will now have seven members on the Baltic Sea, further isolating Russia’s coastal access to St. Petersburg and its small exclave of Kaliningrad.

Mr. Peskov told the BBC that Russia would be watching closely how NATO used Finnish territory “in terms of basing weapons systems and infrastructure there which will be right up close to our borders, potentially threatening us.” “Based on that, measures will be taken,” the Kremlin spokesman said.

Source – bbcnews

NATO

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a political and military alliance that was formed in 1949 to provide collective defense against the Soviet Union and its allies during the Cold War. The organization is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, and its current membership includes 30 European and North American countries.

NATO’s main purpose is to ensure the security of its member countries through collective defense, which means that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. NATO’s defense strategy includes both conventional and nuclear deterrence, as well as a focus on crisis management and conflict resolution.

Since the end of the Cold War, NATO has undergone significant changes and has taken on new roles, including peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, as well as counterterrorism and cyber defense. NATO has also expanded its membership and partnerships, including with countries in the Balkans, the Caucasus, and the Middle East.