As a response to Russian aggression in Ukraine, Finland and Sweden applied to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in May of 2022. Finland was formally accepted to the alliance on April 4, 2023, after much pushback particularly from Turkey and Hungary with accusations of Finland and Sweden funding militant groups which have directly clashed with Turkey. An agreement for Finlands consolidation with the NATO block was met causing a massive blow to Russian geopolitical security.  

The move to join the US led alliance is something which can be considered mutually beneficial for both current NATO member states and the Finnish government as it allows for a western coalition to provide defense security for the Finnish people and gives the west yet another partner in deterring further violence in Europe. The Finnish president was quoted as saying “As an ally, Finland will contribute to NATO’s collective deterrence and defense”. He went on to make the statement that they will be a dependable and cooperative ally for the west.  

While this move to join NATO is quite expected as Finland in the past has been much more western leaning in business and military cooperation, Finland until late has maintained a policy of neutrality as they tried to not anger their neighbor Russia.  

This move to become NATOs 31st member is also significant in that it nearly doubles NATOs land boarder with Russia, and furthermore calls for a boarder in a militiarly significant portion of the state with some of the larger housings of Russian naval equipment at Severomorsk.   Russia’s response to this has been that they will “Counter measures” and will strengthen its military presence on its boarder with Finland. Historically speaking Finland has been quite aprehensive about aggravating Russia as it was once part of Russia’s controlled territory but gained its internationally recognized independence in 1919 from the Russian Empire.  

This acceptance into Nato was the fastest processed NATO application in the alliance’s modern history and will be quite significant for the future stability of Europe as a whole.