Finland has officially become the 31st member of NATO. Helsinki’s accession was made possible after the Turkish parliament approved the step last Thursday, making it the last country to ratify the expansion of the US-led military bloc.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto signed the agreement on his country’s accession at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, before handing it over in a formal ceremony to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

“With receipt of this instrument of accession, we can now declare that Finland is the 31st member of the North Atlantic Treaty,” the top US diplomat proclaimed.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who was also in attendance, described the event as a “historic day.” He went on to predict that the military bloc would soon welcome Sweden as well.

The process is expected to be formally completed at a NATO summit in Lithuania in July.

On Saturday, Türkiye’s official Resmi Gazete newspaper confirmed that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had signed off on the approval for Finnish membership, which had been unanimously backed by Turkish MPs earlier that week.

The move was preceded by a vote at the Hungarian legislature last Monday, which also gave Helsinki’s bid the go-ahead.

The backing of all NATO states is required to admit a new member. Finland’s accession had been blocked for months by Türkiye, which accused it of supporting Kurdish “terrorist groups” such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Earlier this month, Erdogan expressed satisfaction with the “authentic and concrete steps” Finland had taken to address Türkiye’s concerns.

Sweden, which applied for NATO membership along with Finland last May, has so far failed to do enough, according to Ankara. Stockholm’s bid remains in limbo, with the Turkish authorities airing similar security grievances to those raised with Finland.

Sweden and Finland dispensed with their long-standing military neutrality last year, citing Russia’s campaign against Ukraine and a perceived threat from Moscow.

Russia has repeatedly warned that it would respond to NATO expansion by beefing up its defenses in the north-west of the country. Earlier, Moscow cited the bloc’s further expansion as one of the reasons for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Readers' comments : :

Nabarun Ghoshal
Why is Russia bothered so much about Finland or Sweden joining NATO? How long the NATO is going to last? How long are the Europeans expected to tolerate the destruction of their economy by the US?

ClydeCrashcup
What's the US secretary of state doing at a NATO gathering? Hmm....
In the past few years (biden/obama 'administration'), I've been shocked by how the US government has blatantly and publicly stooped to such low and childish levels. Trying to arrest a President of a foreign country, blatantly supporting a wicked evil dictator (zelensky) while saying they are not involved. Destroying an allies' source of energy. Strong-arming other governments to do their bidding. Actually arresting a former President with trumped-up charges. All manner of coercion, violence, lying and backstabbing - all blatantly in public view without regard for their reputation and without any concern for any consequences. They're showing that voters no longer have any voice in government. This is disgusting evil. May God intervene soon!

TheChosenOne
ClydeCrashcup, NATO is led by US. NATO is nothing more than the US arm to keep Europe under control of the US. Hence warmonger Blinken needs to be there to welcome all the new puppets

Jkhtrip
FINLAND NEEDS BETTER LEADERS.

Global Wrench
Finland has been brought under Washington's thumb.

USEYOURHEAD
They certainly didn’t waste any time! Now Blinken can play with his new Pekka!

APOPHIS
the eu is inferior to russia in resources , and military fighting ability ! & tech.

Jim Kolaroff
Just another NATO country lost their independence

Felix Niederhauser
What a shame for Finland and its freedom loving people. Joining a sinking ship never has been a good Idea, and if even worst, if the ship is a terroristic/pirate ship called NATO. NB: Prophesy, after the USA will leave NATO in 2025, the bloc will crumble and dissolves itself due to lack of support and cash. Amen & Amen

papasha408
This is by far, the biggest mistake Finland has made in a long time. why would you join a club that may be out of existence in 5 years?

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