By Steven Erlanger
Prime Minister Boris Johnson (left) (click here) and President Sauli Niinisto in Helsinki
It would be best if all of Europe would join NATO. I really do believe Russian aggression is so egregious there is no looking back. Europe should have zero risk in allowing any further warring by Russia. Even little Iceland, the most peaceful country in all of Europe is a part of NATO. It knows where security can be found.
Brussels - Finland’s prime minister and president (click here) announced their support on Thursday for the nation to apply to join NATO.
President Sauli Niinisto, who is mostly responsible for Finland’s foreign policy, has helped orchestrate Finland’s move away from a long history of military nonalignment, prompted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.
“Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay,” they said. “We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days.”...
President Sauli Niinisto, who is mostly responsible for Finland’s foreign policy, has helped orchestrate Finland’s move away from a long history of military nonalignment, prompted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.
“Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay,” they said. “We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days.”...
Putin was and is attempting to scare Europe into factions and dividing the continent to facilitate further aggression. If Ukraine's struggle proves anything it is that Putin has no respect for neutrality.
By Danya Hajjaji
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (click here) welcomed Finland's newly announced petition to join the alliance and promised a "smooth and swift" process.
In a statement emailed to Newsweek, Stoltenberg said: "I welcome the joint statement by President [Sauli] Niinistö and Prime Minister [Sanna] Marin supporting an application for NATO membership without delay. This is a sovereign decision by Finland, which NATO fully respects.
"Should Finland decide to apply, they would be warmly welcomed into NATO, and the accession process would be smooth and swift."...
