Finland's president and prime minister said Thursday they're in favour of applying for NATO membership, paving the way for the alliance to expand amid Russia's war in Ukraine.
The statement on Thursday, came a day after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited both Finland and Sweden to sign a military cooperation agreement.
In 2017, Sweden and Finland joined the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force, which is designed to be more flexible and respond more quickly than the larger NATO alliance. It uses NATO standards and doctrine, so it can operate in conjunction with NATO, the United Nations or other multinational coalitions. Fully operational since 2018, the force has held a number of exercises both independently and in cooperation with NATO.
Should Finland become a NATO member it would mean the biggest change in the Nordic country’s defence and security policy since World War II when it fought two lost wars against the Soviet Union.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Allies to approve Finland, Sweden NATO bid, offer security, diplomats sayFinland and Sweden would not benefit from NATO’s collective defense clause – that an attack on one ally is an attack on all – until the parliaments of all 30…
Read more »
Crucial NATO decisions expected in Finland, Sweden this weekTo join or not to join? The NATO question is coming to a head this week in Finland and Sweden where Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shattered the long-held belief that remaining outside the military alliance was the best way to avoid trouble with their giant neighbour.
Read more »
Opinion: As tensions between NATO and Russia increase, look to KaliningradIf the Ukraine conflict spreads, the Russian province on the Baltic could play an important role
Read more »
NATO presence in Baltic states must be more 'robust': Latvian PMLatvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins is calling on NATO allies involved in military deterrence measures in eastern and central Europe to make their presence more robust and permanent.
Read more »
Finnish PM says joining NATO will strengthen security
Read more »