Finland, a country with a history of neutrality and a delicate balance between East and West, became the 31st North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member on April 4, 2023. The Nordic country’s security situation changed fundamentally following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. After the attack, Finland reevaluated its security policy situation and applied to NATO.
As a member of NATO, Finland would gain security guarantees from Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an attack on one ally is an attack on all allies.
But what else does this membership mean for Finland, and why did the Finns apply for membership after 30 years of non-alignment?
Finland Had Always Been a Neutral Player
Finland’s geopolitical position has long shaped its foreign policy, nestled between Russia and the Nordic countries. During the Cold War, Finland maintained neutrality, balancing the interests of the Soviet Union and Western powers.
Since the end of the Cold War, Finland has participated in NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program, which aims to foster cooperation and joint exercises between NATO and non-member countries. Despite participating in the PfP program, Finland has remained non-aligned for over 30 years.
Read the Atlantic Council’s view on Finland’s political situation and get expert analysis from veterans like Atlantic Council board member Amir Handjani.
Why Did Finland Join NATO?
For decades, Finland had been a non-NATO country. However, the recent events in Ukraine have caused a shift in Finland’s security policy. The invasion highlighted the vulnerability of non-aligned countries and the importance of security guarantees.
These were sentiments echoed by Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö, who said that Russia’s invasion demonstrated the Kremlin does not respect non-aligned countries.
“What we see now, Europe, the world, is more divided,” Niinistö explained to CNN. “There’s not very much room for non-aligned positions in between.”
Calls to join the alignment also received consensus support from Finland’s political parties, including the opposition Social Democrats. As a result, Finland applied for NATO membership, which would provide a more robust defense against potential threats.
The Process of Finland Joining NATO
The Finnish and Swedish governments applied for membership on May 18. This initiated an intensive diplomatic process that saw Finland join NATO within a year.
At last year’s NATO summit in Madrid, supporters built momentum. The alliance leaders discussed the Ukraine war, China’s increasing influence, and a new Strategic Concept.
“Finnish and Swedish NATO membership is a no-brainer on all counts. It is a win-win proposition for the Baltic Sea region, the Alliance, and European security,” writes Alexander Stubb, former Finnish prime minister. “Applicants cannot get more NATO compatible than this.”
As with all applicants, both Nordic states must meet political, economic, and military requirements. They must also demonstrate their commitment to upholding the 1949 Washington Treaty and its principles.
Turkey and Hungary remain obstacles to Sweden’s NATO membership. Ankara politicians are upset that Sweden criticized Turkey for human rights violations and democratic standards.
In a bid to ratify Swedish membership, Turkey claims Stockholm harbors members of terrorist groups and has requested their extradition. The Swedish courts have, however, blocked some expulsions.
Hungarian’s gripe is that Sweden has long had an antagonistic attitude toward Budapest. There is anger over Swedish criticism of Prime Minister Viktor Orban over perceived erosions of the rule of law.
What it Means
As a NATO member, Finland will benefit from heightened stability and security in the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe. NATO’s collective defense will be strengthened by Finland’s strong defense capabilities and resilient response to crises.
Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty guarantees Finland’s security as a member of the Alliance and part of NATO’s collective defense. Finland’s NATO membership also means it participates in decisions regarding security policy questions about the country.
Finns hope that Sweden will soon join NATO. The Baltic Sea region’s threshold for deploying military force will increase when Finland and Sweden become NATO members. In the long run, this will improve the stability of the area.
Upon Finland and Sweden’s membership in NATO, all Nordic countries will be NATO members. Hence, the Nordic countries can advocate together in the AlliaAllianceissues that matter to them.
What Happens Now?
Finland’s accession will strengthen NATO’s eastern flank, bolstering the Alliance’s capabilities in the region. However, it also adds more strain to NATO-Russia relations. NATO must consider its deterrence posture and potential Russian responses and countermeasures.
The Nordic country’s move may also encourage other non-member European countries to consider NATO membership, further expanding the Alliance.
As Finland navigates the accession process and NATO considers the potential consequences, understanding the complexities of this decision will be crucial for policymakers, analysts, and the public alike. Finland’s NATO membership will ultimately shape European security and geopolitics for years.
