Finland Joins NATO, Ends Military Non-Alliance

The Northern European nation of Finland formally joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO.

The move, which added one to the bloc's 30-nation membership, was sealed on Tuesday when the country’s foreign minister, Pekka Haavisto, completed the accession process by handing over an official document to U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, at the bloc's headquarters in Brussels. 

Reuters reports that with the new development, Finland ended its military non-alignment status. 

"For almost 75 years, this great alliance has shielded our nations and continues to do so today. 

"But war has returned to Europe and Finland has decided to join NATO and be part of the world's most successful alliance," NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, said at the ceremony. 

Gen Stoltenberg reiterated earlier that President Putin had cited opposition to NATO's eastward enlargement as one justification for invading Ukraine, noting however, that Moscow is now receiving opposite reaction to its invasion of Ukraine. .

"He is getting exactly the opposite...Finland today, and soon also Sweden will become a full fledged member of the alliance," Stoltenberg said in Brussels.

Finnish President, Saul Niinisto, disclosed that his country’s most significant contribution to NATO's common deterrence and defence would be to defend its own Territory, insisting however, that there is more work aead. 

"It is a great day for Finland and I want to say that it is an important day for NATO," Niinisto said at a joint news conference with Stoltenberg.

Meanwhile, Moscow has threatened that Finland's action would compel counter measures. Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu, who made the statement, noted that the alliance with NATO raised the prospect of an escalation in Russia's conflict with Ukraine. 

Prior to Tuesday development, Moscow disclosed it would strengthen its military capacity in its western and northwestern regions in the event of Finland joining NATO. Ukraine has however, hailed Finland's move as the right choice. Chief of Staff to Ukrainian president, Andriy Yermak, made the remark on Telegram. 

"FI made the right choice. NATO is also a key goal for Ukraine."