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The Big Week for Finland
Finland has had an eventful week. On April 14, 2019, the country held parliamentary elections that saw the defeat of the incumbent Prime Minister, Juha Sipilä, and a shift in Finnish politics towards the right. Just two days later, Finland made another significant move, as it officially became a member of NATO on April 16, 2019.
The New NATO Member: Finland
Finland’s membership in NATO is a notable development for several reasons. First, it marks the first time that a country that shares a border with Russia has joined the alliance since the end of the Cold War. With Finland joining NATO, the alliance’s border with Russia now stretches another 830 miles. This development has implications for the security dynamics of the region and for the broader relationship between NATO and Russia.
The Road to NATO Membership
Finland’s path to NATO membership has not been a straightforward one. Historically, Finns have viewed their country’s security as being best served by a policy of neutrality. Finland maintained this stance through the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, in recent years, there has been a growing debate in Finland about whether the country should move closer to NATO to bolster its security in the face of a resurgent Russia.
Following this debate, Finland began moving towards NATO membership in 2014. The first step was to sign a host country agreement with NATO, which allowed the alliance to operate on Finnish territory. In 2016, Finland and NATO signed an enhanced opportunity partnership, which allowed Finland to participate in certain alliance activities. Finally, in 2018, Finland accepted an invitation to join NATO’s Partnership for Peace program, which is often seen as a stepping stone to full NATO membership.
The Implications of NATO Membership for Finland
Finland’s NATO membership is likely to have significant implications for the country’s security and foreign policy. On the one hand, joining NATO will provide Finland with a more robust security guarantee against potential Russian aggression. By becoming a member of the alliance, Finland gains access to NATO’s collective defense pledge, which stipulates that an attack on one member is an attack on all members.
On the other hand, joining NATO could put a strain on Finland’s relations with Russia. Moscow has long viewed NATO expansion as a threat to its security, and Finland’s membership is likely to be viewed in a similar light. Russia has already criticized Finland’s move, arguing that it will destabilize the region and undermine the potential for constructive dialogue between NATO and Russia.
Conclusion
Finland’s decision to join NATO is a significant development that has implications for the security dynamics of the region and for the broader relationship between NATO and Russia. While the move is likely to bolster Finland’s security, it could also put a strain on the country’s relations with Russia. Nevertheless, Finland’s NATO membership marks a new chapter in the country’s foreign and security policy and highlights the evolving security landscape of the region.
