Report: Finland wants to join NATO
Helsinki - The Finnish tabloid Iltalehti reported on Thursday, citing its own sources, that this could be discussed in parliamentary committees after the Easter holidays. Allegedly, the state leadership has already decided on a corresponding application, and there is also a broad parliamentary majority for NATO membership. According to the newspaper report, a decision is likely in May.
Finland borders Russia and was previously considered neutral. However, Russia has repeatedly stated that it does not want to sit idly by if Finland joins NATO. As recently as mid-March, a representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a media interview that Finland or Sweden's possible NATO accession would have "serious military and political consequences" and would "force Russia to take retaliatory measures".
In Finland as well as in Sweden, possible NATO membership was already being discussed during the Caucasus conflict. In principle, this is only possible by invitation, and all previous member states must also agree unanimously.
Source: Der Newsticker
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