BRUSSELS : Finland formally joined Nato on Tuesday, its flag unfurling outside the military bloc’s Brussels headquarters, in a historic policy shift brought on by Russia’s attack of Ukraine, drawing a threat from Moscow of “counter-measures”.
Finland’s accession roughly doubles the length of the border that Nato shares with Russia and bolsters its eastern flank as the war in Ukraine grinds on with no resolution in sight.
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto completed the accession process by handing over an official document to US State Secretary Antony Blinken at Nato’s HQ.
Finland’s flag — a blue cross on a white background — was hoisted alongside those of the alliance’s 30 other members as a military band played in bright sunshine.
“For almost 75 years, this great alliance has shielded our nations and continues to do so today,” Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg declared at the ceremony.
“But war has returned to Europe and Finland has decided to join Nato and be part of the world’s most successful alliance.”
Stoltenberg earlier noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had cited opposition to Nato’s eastward enlargement as one justification for invading Ukraine.-Courtesy Reuters
