Finland Joins NATO as Defense Alliance Expands Northward
- Accession process sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
- Finland wins security pledges, leaves Sweden at NATO doorstep
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Finland became the 31st member of NATO, completing a tumultuous process of accession sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that upended the European security landscape.
In a bittersweet moment, Finland gained Article 5 security guarantees and deterrence, but was forced to leave its close neighbor Sweden behind on the doorstep of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.