The option of Finland joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, seemed, until recently, too risky, vis-à-vis neighboring Russia. It is also very clear on the subject: such a decision would have repercussions. But that was before the Kremlin’s offensive against Ukraine.
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Today, a large majority of Finns want to join NATO, according to a survey. In this rate historically, respondents say they are in favor of joining the Western military alliance at 62%, against 16% to be opposed and 21% undecided, according to this survey by the Taloustutkimus institute, quoted by AFP. Failover proof: iwo weeks ago, the same poll had for the first time in the history of the Nordic country given an absolute majority (53%) in favor of NATO membership, marking a jump of nearly 25 points after the offensive ordered by Vladimir Putin.
All the political parties are also in favor of it.”We have a very aggressive regime on our border“, comments Hatte Arjane, MP, member of the Finnish Greens.”The process must be thought through and the decisions made must be wise and appropriate. But I insist: Finland is sovereign and can make its own decisions.“, she explains.
Because it may be the end of the low profile policy facing the big neighbor. Finland, which welcomes some Russians fleeing Western sanctions, has bitter memories of the neutrality imposed by Moscow during the Cold War, which ended with the fall of the USSR.
Jussi Lassila, a specialist in Russia, had already observed a slight increase in pro-NATO opinion after the annexation of Crimea in 2014. “AT whenever Russia has become militarily aggressive, there has been this kind of reaction. Which is the exact opposite of what Russia wants“, he deciphers. If Finland decides to join NATO, Russia could react, of course, he says, with cyberattacks, for example, or the sudden cessation of border control, or even military maneuvers.
Shortly after the Kremlin coup, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö called last week for a decision on the matter, “without hesitation but with caution“. The issue is expected to be considered in Parliament in April, after the delivery of a report on the “benefits and risksLike Sweden, Finland is officially non-aligned, although it has been a NATO partner since the mid-1990s.