Finland asserts intention of joining NATO

Even as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine rages on for over two months now, Finland has indicated that it may join NATO.

“Joining NATO would not be against anyone. It is not a zero-sum game,” Finland President Sauli Niinisto told the media on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen had said that the time for Sweden and Finland to join the military alliance is now, while Russian President Vladimir Putin is “preoccupied” with Ukraine.

“As far as Finland and Sweden are concerned, I think there’s a window of opportunity for the two countries to join, exactly now because Putin is preoccupied elsewhere. He can’t do anything about it,” Rasmussen told CNBC on Saturday. 

“It will take some months and during that period both Finland and Sweden could potentially be exposed. Russian intimidation or even threats, and that’s why we have to guarantee their security.

The head of the alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, said in March that NATO would gladly welcome Finland. Sweden and could fast-track their membership applications if they decided to join.

The US expects Sweden to present its formal application to become a full member. NATO by the end of June, while Finland could decide on accession already this month.