Finland ‘very likely’ to bid for NATO: minister

It is “very likely” that Finland will apply to enter the OTANin the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finnish Foreign Minister Tytti Tuppurainen said on Friday.

“It is very likely but the decision has not yet been made,” the minister told Britain’s Sky News.

Hours earlier, Russia had warned that the possible accession of Helsinkiand from Stockholm, to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would have “consequences” for these countries and for European security.

On Wednesday, on a visit to Sweden ─which is also considering joining NATO─, the head of the Finnish government, Sanna Marinassured that the country will make a decision on the matter “in a few weeks”, after a parliamentary debate.

For the Nordic country, which shares some 1,300 km of border with RussiaJoining the 30-member US-led alliance would provide a “considerably greater” deterrent against an attack by its neighbor, according to a document on the subject released by the Finnish government two days ago.

“The Finns seem to have made their decision and there is already a large majority in favor of NATO membership,” Tuppurainen said.

Income support, which for decades fluctuated between 20% and 30%, reached 60%, and the latest poll published last Monday gave him 68% support compared to only 12% against.

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