Joining NATO turned the country into a frontline state

After Russia declared war on Ukraine, Finland applied for membership in NATO together with Sweden on May 18, 2022. Finland’s NATO membership process was completed in less than a year, making it one of the fastest-moving membership processes in the Alliance’s 74-year history. Finland officially became a member of NATO on April 4, 2023.

SUBSCRIBE

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that joining the NATO alliance a year ago had turned his country into a “frontline state”.

During his visit to neighboring Sweden, Stubb spoke at a joint press conference in the parliament with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in the capital Stockholm.

Stubb stated that their membership in the NATO Alliance turned his country into a “frontline state” as the military bloc doubled its border with Russia.

Pointing out that Finland and Sweden play a key role in supporting peace, Stubb said, “It sounds paradoxical, but that’s exactly why we want a strong army and that’s why we joined NATO.” said.