Current Affairs

Issue

Finland is considering joining NATO in a monumental policy shift in the country’s diplomatic stand.

 

Background

During the Ukraine stand-off, Finland had highlighted its neutral stance in order to bring consensus between Russia and West.

 

Details

Following the announcement, Russia has said that the move would be a threat and warned of a possible retaliation. 

 

Reasons for joining

• Till now, Finland always maintained its neutral stance in order to maintain cordial relations with Russia.

• Joining NATO was always a controversial topic. After the Ukraine invasion, the move has received overwhelming support from all quarters.

• Finnish leadership says that the move of joining NATO was necessitated as soon as Russia set foot in Ukraine.

 

 

Countdown to NATO membership

• The Soviet Union had previously invaded Finland in 1939. They had managed to capture 10 per cent of Finland’s territory.

• Finland had vowed to stay neutral during Cold War days. The fear started since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

• Post the cold war, Finland has been preparing mentally to join NATO. It has joined European Union and also bought western weapons.

 

Benefits for NATO

• Finland shares a lengthy border with Russia. After Finland joins the group, the border of NATO with Russia is expected to double and strengthen the alliance’s position in the Baltic Sea.

• More neutral countries joining western powers is a symbolic victory for the narrative that Russia has hampering global peace.

 

Significance for Finland by joining the alliance

• The security and the defence system of the country would be strengthened.

• It would have the backing of major powers of Western Europe as well as United States.

 

Response of Russia

• Russia says that it would be forced to take military steps if the membership materializes. This would jeopardize Finland’s security.

• Russia has threatened to deploy nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania.