Finland Parliament Debates NATO Membership in Wake of Ukraine Invasion

Finland’s parliament discussed the possibility of the country looking to join that NATO alliance after a citizens’ initiative demanded a debate on the issue.

The Finnish parliament discussed the issue of NATO on Tuesday despite Social Democratic Party Prime Minister Sanna Marin stating Monday on Twitter that ” There will be no broader discussion on Finland’s line on the relationship to military alliance or non-alignment.”

“As the citizens’ initiative regarding NATO membership has collected the necessary number of signatures and is progressing to Parliament, it is worth hearing the views of the parties on the matter. From this point of view, the issue will also be on the agenda for tomorrow’s parliamentary event,” Marin added.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine last week, the issue of NATO membership for Finland and Sweden has come into the forefront, with Russia specifically warning both countries of consequences for joining the military alliance.

Speaking in the house on Tuesday afternoon, Marin summed up the government’s view when she said: “The party leaders agreed that the foreign policy environment has changed significantly after Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Europe is at war. We must admit that”, the Svenska Yle news network reported. While public opinions on NATO membership was changing, the Prime Minister nevertheless said it would not be an issue “settled quickly” and the government would not “base the decisions on an opinion poll.” – READ MORE