Western leaders unanimously welcomed Finland’s official membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on the 4th (local time).
According to CNN, US President Joe Biden made a statement and said, “74 years ago today (April 4, 1949) when the United States and 11 other countries came together to form NATO, (Harry) Truman (at the time of the United States) The president said, ‘If there is anything inevitable in the future, it is the will of the people of the world for freedom and peace’. Today, that commitment is stronger than ever with the addition of Finland.”
He added that he hopes Sweden can join NATO as soon as possible.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted congratulations to Finland and President Sauli Niinistö.
“NATO has become the only effective guarantee of security in the region in the face of Russian aggression,” Zelensky said. “We expect the NATO summit in Lithuania to bring Ukraine closer to its Euro-Atlantic goals do,” he said.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attempt to invade Ukraine under the pretext of stopping NATO expansion had failed and backfired.
“President Putin wanted to slam NATO’s door, but today we showed the world that he failed and that attacks and threats were of no avail,” he said at a press conference held with President Niinistö at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Instead of shrinking, we expanded on the contrary, and our door is still firmly open.”
He also welcomed Finland’s accession, emphasizing that “we have the strongest friend and ally in the world.”
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: “Finland, welcome to NATO.”
“Good news,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz tweeted, calling it a “victory for transatlantic security.” “Our defense alliance has gained a strong friend,” he said. “Sweden’s accession also has our full support.”
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said, “Congratulations and warm welcome to Finland as a new NATO ally. “Today is a historic day that makes our alliance stronger,” he wrote on Twitter. “We hope to welcome Sweden as a new ally soon too.”
“Congratulations on joining the North Atlantic Alliance,” said Czech Prime Minister Petr Piala. “It will be a great asset,” he said. “This is a historic moment for Europe and European security.” He also wrote that he “hopes that Hungary and Turkiye will ratify their accession and soon become NATO members”, also referring to Sweden.
European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josef Borrell also said, “I warmly welcome Finland to join NATO. This historic step will serve to strengthen the alliance, strengthen European and transatlantic security and further strengthen the strategic partnership between the EU and NATO.”
Finland completed the process of joining NATO, the Western military alliance, on the same day. It is the 74th anniversary of the founding of NATO. This makes Finland the 31st member of NATO. Sweden, which pushed for simultaneous accession to NATO, is facing setbacks in accession because Turkey and Hungary did not ratify it.
Finland shares the border with Russia for about 1,300 km. The accession has doubled the length of the border between Russia and NATO member countries. Russia considers it a threat to its national security, and there are concerns that tensions with NATO could rise.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.