"Finland will seek NATO membership immediately" Topic

Just in case you didn't heard 'bout it.

Joint statement by the President of the Republic and Prime Minister of Finland on Finland's NATO membership

And to get in the mood, I recommend this great Finnish movie:
The Unknown Soldier (2017 film) – on Wikipedia

Best scene for now:
Finnish scouts ambush Soviet force

No need to know what the scouts say, just who has to die.

A Russian aggression reaction. I cannot fault any country near Russia for wanting to join NATO. Finland was a victim of Russian aggression and they decided not to become one again.

I thought this likely, given current vectors.

It will be interesting to see if the Swedes follow suit too, shortly.

I suspect they will.

It will also be VERY interesting to see how Russia reacts too.

I imagine air incursions, or encroachments by a number of Sukhois and nuclear capable bombers in short order in the region, with transponders turned off like they've done in the past.

I imagine though, that the rhetoric and frequency of these actions will increase greatly in the coming weeks and months.

The Swedes essentially stated that if the Finns did, they would, too.

There's nothing in the statement that says Finland will seek membership immediately. This sets off the domestic process for passing a law to seek NATO membership.

The UK is talking about mutual defense with Sweden and Finns until NATO is finalized so a spoiling attack does not happen.

It also gives them nuclear cover.

I am glad to see France and UK stepping up to defend Europe.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek

Well seems not many of Putin's/Russia's neighbors want to be attacked by them "Russkies" … Who knew ?!??

There's nothing in the statement that says Finland will seek membership immediately. This sets off the domestic process for passing a law to seek NATO membership.

Correct. However, on Monday the Finnish parliament will gather to discuss the subject, and most likely they will agree to sending a membership application, as most of the political parties and MPs are currently in favour of NATO membership. The decision making may take a couple of days, but I would expect to see a membership application sent next week.

It will be interesting to see if the Swedes follow suit too, shortly.

On Monday also the Swedish parliament will gather to debate NATO membership, and it may well happen that next week also Sweden decides to apply for membership.

Turkey is saying its bad idea them joining because they harbour terrorist organisations i.e. Kurdish groups, which are a threat to Turkeys national security.

I'd say having a couple more liberal democracies in NATO is probably more important than one country in economic trouble, on the verge of dictatorship, led by someone with delusions of former imperial grandeur. Sound familiar?

I am a bit puzzled on what Turkey thinks these claims of "harbouring terrorist organisations" are based on.

If they are trying to refer to the Kurdish Worker's Party (PKK), then that is classified as a terrorist organisation in European Union (but not in Russia…).

Yes, the Turks hate the PKK. And vis versa, AFAIK … They may be doing more behind the curtain, with all of this.

If Turkey doesn't like them they can always leave NATO.

Turkey not supporting membership for Finland and Sweden is not surprising, since they seem to be more allied with Putin and Russia than the main EU countries.

From what I've read, the vote to admit the two countries needs to be unanimous, so I wonder if Turkey will prove to be a real spoiler in this, or if Erdogan is just angling for some perks out of the deal in order to go along with their approval.

Seems to me that if push comes to shove, Turkey should be removed from NATO with prejudice and Finland and Sweden permitted to join.

+1 Thresher

The Turks as of the past decade of so has really not been a good NATO ally from what I have seen. But as said on another thread. At one time the Turks have or had the second largest military in NATO.