Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin speaks to the press as she arrives for a European Union (EU) summit at EU Headquarters in Brussels on March 24, 2022.
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Finland is to begin a debate over Nato membership this week after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked concerns over its security.
The government, in tandem with President Sauli Niinisto, will finalise a white paper on changes to the country’s security arrangement on Wednesday.
The proposal will be sent to parliament where it is expected to be signed off, and although there is no provision which includes joining Nato, an amendment could be tabled further down the line if it is supported by politicians.
Finland’s prime minister Sanna Marin said on April 2 the decision to become a member could be made as soon as the summer, while former leader of the country, Alexander Stubb, said the application may come as early as May.
Speaking to Politico, he said: “It’s a no-brainer — both for Nato and Finland.”
Mr Stubb added the decision to join the security alliance would be part of a wider “trajectory towards the west” for the country which shares a 830 mile-long border with Russia and fought off invasion from the Soviet Union during the Second World War.
Polling carried out by the Finish Business and Policy Forum Eva think tank last month, found 60 per cent support for joining the security alliance. At the same time last year support was at just 34 per cent.
Sweden has also begun to re-evaluate its stance on Nato membership and will apply to join the alliance in June, Swedish newspaper SVD reports.
Social Democrat general secretary, Tobias Baudin said: “When Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden’s security position changed fundamentally.”
Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance would welome both countires with open arms should they apply to join.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, however, any expansion of the security alliance would force a recalculation from the Kremlin.
He said: “We have repeatedly said that the alliance remains a tool geared towards confrontation and its further expansion will not bring stability to the European continent."
