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So, to now have radically changed these two countries security and defense policy thinking in a matter of months certainly must be seen as yet another strategic failure by Putin.. Asked on Wednesday if Finland would provoke Russia by joining NATO, Finland's President Sauli Niinisto said: "My response would be that you caused this. Published 5:53 AM PDT, February 26, 2022. So, I think we have a modern, capable defense [force] that we have been building throughout the years, Brigadier General Sami Nurmi, director of the policy department at the Finnish Ministry of Defense, told VOA. Russias foreign ministry previously warned of serious military and political consequences if either of the two countries join the 30-nation alliance. Russian officials have spoken in the past about potential measures including stationing nuclear-armed missiles on the Baltic Sea. A vote will go to Turkey's parliament to approve its application. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Finland's accession to NATO would "inflict serious damage on Russian-Finnish relations, as well as stability and security in Northern Europe". The Foreign Ministry said Russia would be forced to take retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature.. Ukrainian pilots will begin training on F-16 fighter jetsin Romania next month, officials said on the sidelines of the NATO summit, though Kyivs military allies have yet to agree on the supply of US-made warplanes to Ukraine. It was still a matter of when, not if, Sweden joined Nato, he added. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor following their meeting over Ukraine security at the Kremlin, in Moscow, on February 15, 2022. How could Russia react to Finland, Sweden joining NATO - CNBC Finland shares a border of more than 800 miles with Russia, which would become NATOs most exposed eastern flank if the country becomes a member. "History will determine why Finland needed to turn its territory into a bulwark of military face-off with Russia while losing independence in making its own decisions," it added. NATO leaders had dashed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys hopes for a clear path to joining NATO, saying that Ukraine would join when conditions are met. Finland shares a border of more than 800 miles with Russia, which would become NATO's most exposed eastern flank if the country becomes a member. Turkey had blocked Finland's application for months, complaining it had supported "terrorists". On a recent afternoon along Finland's border with Russia, an attack from Russian military bases a few miles away seemed a distant prospect. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday announced new measures to bolster Finland and Swedens security, including greater intelligence sharing and joint training. It was not immediately clear what steps NATO nations might take to protect Finland and Sweden from any retaliation by Russia until they are formally brought under NATOs mutual defense umbrella. These killings of civilians often appeared to be intentional, carried out by snipers and soldiers, she said in a video message. Ukraine hits Crimean Bridge, but railway undamaged; Russia halts grain deal. So, I think that pretty much tells the reason why we should be joining. A focal point of that fight has been around the massive Azovstal steel plant, where civilians and Ukrainian fighters holed up amid heavy shelling. Britain agreed to new deals with both Sweden and Finland on Wednesday, pledging to support each country's armed forces should they come under attack. Finland could apply to join NATO within weeks, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said recently, after a government report concluded that joining the alliance would boost security in the region. Their forces regularly take part in NATO military exercises and are skilled in Arctic warfare. The war has prompted more than 6 million people to flee Ukraine since late February, creating a new refugee crisis as waves of Ukrainians, mostly women and children, pour westward into Europe and into other areas. The Russian president has warned his Finnish counterpart that relations between the two neighbours could be negatively affected if Finland follows through with plans to apply for Nato membership. By joining Nato, Finland will strengthen its own security and assume its responsibilities. In Responses to Russia, U.S. Stands Firm on Who Can Join NATO "On May 12, the Russians killed four more civilians of the Donbas: two in Novoselivka, one in Avdiivka and one in Lyman. Nigeria's 'tax collectors': Menacing and mafia-like, Sport's strictest dress code finally relents. Who are the Nordic 'terrorists' wanted by Turkey? 'There will be no way back': will war change Finland's pragmatic It would be a substantial group of Nordic nations within the alliance in the future. It is not something away from anybody, Niinist said. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact The steel mill is the only remaining stronghold of Ukrainian resistance in the ruined Black Sea port town, and is now surrounded by Russian forces. The Ukrainian military said Russian forces were storming two villages there. Finland's leaders say they will decide whether to join NATO despite warnings from Russia against joining the Western alliance, as the military standoff on . Russia to respond to Finland's NATO ascension by 'strengthening The Wagner crisis, explained. Vladimir Putin has signalled Russia will tolerate Finland and Sweden joining Nato, but warned the Kremlin would respond if the alliance installed military bases or equipment in either country. Russia is furious that Finland is joining NATO but can't do much about it. Russia previously threatened "serious military-political repercussions" if Finland and Sweden were to join the alliance. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said Moscow wouldnt stand idly by if Finland were to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Follow the 600-mile front line between Ukrainian and Russian forces, Sanctions havent stopped Russia, but a new oil ban could cut deeper, Live updates: Ukraine attacked Crimean Bridge, official says; Russia says grain deal being terminated, Extreme weather threatens the best-kept art of the ancient Silk Road, John Kerry hails Chinas incredible job on renewables, warns on coal. Mari-Leena Kuosa contributed to the report. The head of Must, Lina Hallin, said Russia's military currently had limited capabilities towards Sweden's immediate area but it would be able to learn lessons from the Ukraine war and strengthen its military presence. President Erdogan said that Sweden's prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, was a "nice person" but Ankara had asked his government to extradite some 120 figures who had yet to be sent to Turkey. university Russia has vowed to take "retaliatory steps" in response to Finland's announcement that it plans to apply to join NATO. The last living 'comfort women' sing 'forget us not'. Stay informed and spot emerging risks and opportunities with independent global reporting, expert Russia says Finland's NATO accession is dangerous historic mistake Finland's leaders urge NATO bid in blow to Putin; Russia vows response Any Nato expansion needs the support of all its members - and Finland is now a step closer to joining. Change the plan you will roll onto at any time during your trial by visiting the Settings & Account section. While the countrys parliament still has to weigh in, the announcement means Finland is all but certain to apply - and gain admission - though the process could take months to complete. The Russian leader insisted the Russian economy has successfully withstood the blow from Western sanctions and that Russian companies would fill the niche left by the withdrawal of Western enterprises. We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days," Finland's President Sauli Niinist and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said in a joint statement. Assuming the parliament ratifies Finland's accession beforehand, the government in Helsinki still has to secure the support of Hungary. personalising content and ads, providing social media features and to Almost overnight, support for Nato membership leapt from an underwhelming one-third of Finns to almost 80%. The Swedish tabloid Expressen, citing unnamed sources, reported that a decision from Sweden on joining the defense alliance could come as soon as Monday. Finland responded on Friday to Russia's vow to take "retaliatory steps" over the country's plans to apply to join the NATO military alliance. A formal announcement from Niinist and Marin of Finlands intention to apply for membership is expected on Sunday. The . Demonstrators, mostly women, marched through central Kyiv on Thursday, holding banners and chanting, "Save defenders of Mariupol, save Azovstal," "Glory to the heroes of Mariupol" and "Save the military of Azovstal. Its not about whether or not they should or shouldnt join. It added that nearby buildings housing local administration offices, college dormitories, and private houses also suffered varying degrees of damage. Russia warns of nuclear weapons in . Ukraine live briefing: Cluster munitions arrive in Ukraine; Russian general Russia fires top commander in Ukraine who criticized Defense Ministry, Zelenskys angry tweet on NATO membership nearly backfired, Russias war might have a new casualty: The Putin-Erdogan bond, At NATO summit, Bidens caution clashed with calls to draw Ukraine closer, Russia says Wagner has returned tanks, missile systems, weapons, ammo, Enemies duel with drones as Ukraine faces dug-in Russian forces, Four maps explain how Sweden and Finland could alter NATOs security, by members of the U.N. Human Rights Council.