Earlier on Sunday, Finnish President Sauli Ninisto told reporters that the president and the government’s foreign policy committee had decided after joint discussions in parliament today that Finland would apply for NATO membership. It is a historic day, the beginning of a new era.
Russia launched an attack on Ukraine on February 24. In less than three months, Finland-Sweden’s decision to join NATO is in stark contrast to the two countries’ previous positions. For more than 65 years, Finland has maintained a policy of military neutrality. Sweden has also maintained a policy of military neutrality for more than two centuries. Now, instead of a long-standing policy, the two countries are joining the Western military alliance, mainly out of fear of Russia’s eyes.
But what is the reason for Turkey’s objection? Just maintaining good relations with Russia and the country’s President Putin, or something else? Geopolitical analysts are looking for answers to these questions. Paul Adams, the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent in the UK, said the answer was to look back. Even Erdogan’s speech hints at this.