Finland–NATO relations#Application
{{Infobox bilateral relations|Finland–NATO|NATO|Finland|map=Finland NATO Locator Lambert.svg}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
[[File:EU and NATO.svg|thumb|European membership of the EU and NATO in March 2024
{{legend|#FFFF00|EU member only}}
{{legend|#000000|NATO member only}}
{{legend|#000080|member of both}}]]
Finland has been a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since 4 April 2023.{{Cite web |last=NATO |title=Member countries |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_52044.htm |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=NATO |language=en |archive-date= 3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303164633/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_52044.htm |url-status=live }}
In the aftermath of World War II, following the formation of NATO in 1949 and throughout the Cold War, Finland maintained a position of neutrality, in what became known as Finlandization, in the face of its often complicated relations with the Soviet Union.
The possibility of membership became a topic of debate in the country after the end of the Cold War and following the country's accession to NATO's Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme and the European Union (EU) in the mid-1990s.{{Cite web |title=Countries in the EU and EEA |url=https://www.gov.uk/eu-eea |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=GOV.UK |language=en |archive-date=5 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305213756/https://www.gov.uk/eu-eea |url-status=live }} In spite of these new bonds to Europe and the West, public support for NATO accession remained low.
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine marked a turning point in the debate, and swung public opinion in favour of NATO membership. Along with neighboring Sweden, the country applied to join NATO on 18 May 2022. Following ratification, Finland became a member of NATO on 4 April 2023.{{Cite web|last=|date=2023-04-04|title=Live streaming : Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs|url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/events_67375.htm |access-date=2023-04-04|publisher=North Atlantic Treaty Organization|language=en |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225024637/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/events_67375.htm |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Laverick|first=Evelyn|date=2023-04-04|title=Finland joins NATO in the alliance's fastest-ever accession process|url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/04/04/finland-joins-nato-in-the-alliances-fastest-ever-accession-process |access-date=2023-04-04|website=Euronews|publisher=|archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404135547/https://www.euronews.com/2023/04/04/finland-joins-nato-in-the-alliances-fastest-ever-accession-process |url-status=live}} Finland has a Finland–Russia border, which upon accession more than doubled NATO's pre-existing border with Russia.
History
=Background: Finnish neutrality at the end of World War II=
{{Further|Continuation War#Aftermath and casualties}}
File:Finnish areas ceded in 1944.png displayed in red]]
At the end of World War II, Finland had to cut its ties with Germany, with which it had allied against the Soviet Union in the Continuation War. Following the war, foreign policy was guided by the Paasikivi–Kekkonen doctrine, which aimed to ensure Finland's survival as an independent sovereign, democratic, and capitalist state next to the Communist Soviet Union. This was to be achieved by maintaining good enough relations with the Soviet Union to avoid war with its eastern neighbor. The Finnish government refused foreign aid from the United States under the Marshall Plan due to Soviet pressure. Shortly afterward, the YYA Treaty was concluded between Finland and the Soviet Union.
= 1949–2023: Pre-membership relations =
==1949–1991: Finnish neutrality during the Cold War==
File:Voroshilov, Khrushchev, Kekkonen.jpeg, Marshal Kliment Voroshilov, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU Nikita Khrushchev, and President of Finland Urho Kekkonen meeting in Moscow in November 1960.]]
NATO was founded in 1949. As opposed to neighbouring Norway, Finland chose not to join. The Cold War was marked by Finlandization, in which Finland retained its nominal independence and control over its internal affairs, while the conduct of foreign policy during this period was always more or less limited by the need to avoid conflict with the Soviet regime and its foreign policy. As a result, Finland took neutral stances to stay out of great power conflicts, and refrained from joining NATO, the European Communities, or other institutions which were established following the war by the Western democratic states, as well as the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact.{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Finland/The-postwar-period|title=Finland – The postwar period |access-date=8 November 2017|last=|first=|date=|encyclopedia=|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|location=London|language=|quote=|archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404140622/https://www.britannica.com/place/Finland/The-postwar-period |url-status=live}} During the peak of the Cold War, the Finnish government made a conscious effort to increase defence capabilities to ensure a strong deterrent for any potential invasion. From 1968 onward, the Finnish government adopted the doctrine of territorial defence, which requires the use of large land areas to delay and wear out a potential aggressor. This was complemented by the concept of total defence, which calls for the use of all resources of society for national defence in times of crisis.
== 1991–1995: Immediate aftermath of the Cold War ==
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union between 1988 and 1991, the threat posed to Finland's independence was diminished. NATO emphasized its open door policy to admitting new members, and many former Eastern Bloc and post-Soviet states joined the alliance in the 1990s and 2000s. Through subsequent governments the Finnish position was that joining NATO was unnecessary, and it was preferable to retain an independent defence policy, though if conditions changed the country had the right to exercise the option to join NATO.{{cite news|url=https://www.hs.fi/kuukausiliite/art-2000008551871.html|title=Optio, jonka arvo vain nousee|author=Unto Hämäläinen|date=5 February 2022 |access-date = 22 March 2022|language=fi|work=Helsingin Sanomat |archive-date = 22 March 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220322131525/https://www.hs.fi/kuukausiliite/art-2000008551871.html |url-status = live}} Removing barriers to effectively exercising the option to join an alliance (for example, by increasing interoperability) is a part of this policy.{{sfn|MoFA|2022|p=14}} Finland joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 1994.
== 1995–2022: Shift from non-alignment within the European Union ==
File:European Union-12 Finland Locator (with internal borders).svg in 1995]]
The country did move away from neutrality during this period though, joining the European Union in 1995 which required adopting its Common Foreign and Security Policy.
Finland became a member of the European Union in 1995. Since the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009, the EU mutual solidarity clause applies to Finland along with other EU member states:
{{Blockquote|text=If a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. This shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States. [...]|title=Article 42.7 of the consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union}}
Article 42.2 specifies that NATO shall be the main forum for the implementation of collective self-defence for EU member states that are also NATO members. The other EU member states that are outside NATO and consequently resort to the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP, which has a much smaller structures and capabilities than NATO's command structure) for the implementation of collective self-defence, are Austria, Cyprus, Ireland and Malta.
The possibility of Finland's membership in NATO was one of the most important issues debated in relation to the Finnish presidential election of 2006. The main opposition candidate Sauli Niinistö, of the National Coalition Party, supported Finland joining a "more European" NATO. Fellow right-winger Henrik Lax of the Swedish People's Party likewise supported the concept. On the other side, president Tarja Halonen of the Social Democratic Party opposed changing the status quo, as did most other candidates in the election. Her victory and re-election to the post of president put the issue of a NATO membership for Finland on hold for the duration of her term.
In 2007, Finland made various technical preparations of the Finnish Defence Forces for membership, with the then Defence Minister Jyri Häkämies eager to pursue NATO membership. The government preferred to wait until after the negotiations of the new EU treaty were concluded before reviewing their policy on NATO, to determine if it included a new EU-level defence agreement.{{cite news|url=http://euobserver.com/9/23948|work=EUobserver|title=Finland waits for new EU treaty before NATO membership review|first=Andrew|last=Rettman|date=26 April 2007 |access-date=20 September 2008 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128172625/https://euobserver.com/news/23948 |url-status=live}}
Finnish think tank {{ill|Elinkeinoelämän valtuuskunta|lt=EVA|fi|Elinkeinoelämän valtuuskunta}}, which has regularly commissioned opinion polls on NATO membership, noted in its 2015 report a downward trend in the percent opposed that started in 1998, including a steep decline after the 2012 presidential election.{{cite news|url=http://www.eva.fi/blog/2015/02/03/evan-arvo-ja-asennetutkimuksen-ennakkotieto-nato-kannat-muuttuneet-myonteisemmiksi/|title=MEVAn Arvo- ja asennetutkimuksen ennakkotieto: Nato-kannat muuttuneet myönteisemmiksi|date=3 February 2015 |access-date=11 February 2015|work=Elinkeinoelämän valtuuskunta|language=fi |archive-date=3 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203224351/http://www.eva.fi/blog/2015/02/03/evan-arvo-ja-asennetutkimuksen-ennakkotieto-nato-kannat-muuttuneet-myonteisemmiksi/ |url-status=live}} In March 2014, during Russia's annexation of Crimea, one survey showed only 22 percent supported membership, though a second showed that 53 percent would support membership if Finnish leadership recommended it.{{cite news|title=Verkkouutiset selvitti: Kansa valmis Natoon, jos valtiojohto niin haluaa|url=http://www.verkkouutiset.fi/kotimaa/nato%20galluppi%20julki%20ti-17919|date=25 March 2014|work=Verkkouutiset|first=Satu|last=Schauman |access-date=1 September 2014|language=fi |archive-date=19 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119052614/http://www.verkkouutiset.fi/kotimaa/nato%20galluppi%20julki%20ti-17919 |url-status=live}} Support for a military alliance with neighbor Sweden was also high, at 54 percent,{{cite news|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140326/DEFREG01/303260045/Majority-Finns-Support-Swedish-Military-Alliance |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20140328160313/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140326/DEFREG01/303260045/Majority-Finns-Support-Swedish-Military-Alliance |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 March 2014|title=Majority of Finns Support Swedish Military Alliance|work=Defense News|date=26 March 2014 |access-date=27 March 2014|first=Gerard|last=O'Dwyer}} and Finland could possibly seek an enlarged role for NORDEFCO.{{cite news|last=Steffen|first=Sarah|title=NATO next for Sweden and Finland?|url=http://www.dw.de/nato-next-for-sweden-and-finland/a-17519846|newspaper=DeutscheWelle|date=26 March 2014|access-date=24 April 2022|archive-date=16 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516082155/http://www.dw.de/nato-next-for-sweden-and-finland/a-17519846|url-status=live}} Finnish Minister of Defence Carl Haglund suggested that a referendum on NATO membership could be held sometime after the 2015 parliamentary election.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-finland-nato-defenceminister-idUSKBN0ET1V320140618|title=Finnish reasons for joining NATO 'stronger than ever': defense minister|first1=Sakari|last1=Suoninen|first2=Jussi|last2=Rosendahl|date=18 June 2014 |access-date=18 June 2014|work=Reuters |archive-date=1 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201233756/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-finland-nato-defenceminister-idUSKBN0ET1V320140618 |url-status=live}}
File:Sisu XA-180-IFOR.jpg forces on a Sisu XA-180 in 1996]]
File:130924-F-DT859-006 (9949415955).jpg F/A-18 Hornet, which is slated to be replaced by the F-35 Lightning II beginning in 2026]]
File:Cpl_Glen_Sargent_briefs_some_Members_of_the_Finnish_Army_and_Pte_Michael_Kearney_(4433038044).jpg. In this image, two Finnish soldiers are receiving a briefing from an Irish soldier.]]
Before joining NATO, Finland participated in nearly all sub-areas of the Partnership for Peace programme, and provided peacekeeping forces to both the Afghanistan and Kosovo missions.{{cite news|url=http://www.worldpress.org/Europe/2279.cfm|title=Finland Debates Its Ties With NATO|first=Jeroen|last=Bult|date=3 March 2006 |access-date=20 September 2008|work=Worldpress |archive-date=28 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528171540/https://www.worldpress.org/Europe/2279.cfm |url-status=live}} The Finnish government's 1997 defense white paper strongly advocated the development of interoperability to support international crisis management in line with the PfP concept. The 1998–2008 defense program began in May 1997 at the "Spirit of PfP" training in northern Norway.{{Cite book|first=Katsumi|last=Ishizuka|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/879023336|title=Ireland and International Peacekeeping Operations 1960–2000.|date=2014|publisher=Taylor and Francis|isbn=978-1-135-29526-4|oclc=879023336 |access-date=5 April 2023 |archive-date=15 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215055412/https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/879023336 |url-status=live}} Finland maintained close relations with NATO and purchased from its members military equipment including F-35 Lightning II aircraft.{{cite news |last1=Kauranen |first1=Anne |last2=Lehto |first2=Essi |last3=Stone |first3=Mike |date=11 February 2022 |title=Finland seals deal for U.S. F-35 stealth jets, reflecting tight ties to NATO |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-sign-deal-bringing-us-built-stealth-jets-russian-border-2022-02-11/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414184102/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-sign-deal-bringing-us-built-stealth-jets-russian-border-2022-02-11/ |archive-date=14 April 2022}} Newly procured equipment was required to meet NATO standards since before Finland seriously pursued membership.{{Cite web|date=1 September 2021|title=Vademecum on Member States' Defence Procurement Practices for EDA Defence Procurement Gateway|url=https://eda.europa.eu/docs/default-source/procurement-library/vademecum-on-member-states-defence-procurement-practices-v-2-2---1-september-2021.pdf|website=European Defence Agency|edition=2.2 |access-date=4 April 2023 |archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208234809/https://eda.europa.eu/docs/default-source/procurement-library/vademecum-on-member-states-defence-procurement-practices-v-2-2---1-september-2021.pdf |url-status=live}} Despite "longstanding armaments cooperation with NATO," upon accession it still retained non-compatible materiel, such as the RK 62 assault rifle, that would not be decommissioned until the end of its lifecycle.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-10-25 |title=Finland has Longstanding Armaments Cooperation with NATO |url=https://euro-sd.com/2022/10/articles/27504/finland-has-longstanding-armaments-cooperation-with-nato/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404204301/https://euro-sd.com/2022/10/articles/27504/finland-has-longstanding-armaments-cooperation-with-nato/ |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=European Security & Defence |language=en-US}}
File:Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump & Sauli Niinistö in Helsinki, 16 July 2018.jpg with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, First Lady of the United States Melania Trump, and First Lady of Finland Jenni Haukio, 2018 Russia–United States summit in Helsinki, Finland 16 July 2018]]
File:US Navy 090615-N-6138K-618 Finnish Navy boarding team members Cpl. Petri Linna, left, and Sgt. Joonas Moinaneu lay down suppressing fire while their team members move forward during a disaster training exercise.jpg exercises along with many NATO countries and other Partners for Peace; shown here are Finnish soldiers taking part in BALTOPS 2009 in Sweden.]]
File:President Trump Meets with the President of the Republic of Finland (48833795938).jpg with US President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., United States on 2 October 2019]]
File:Pääministeri Sanna Marin tapasi Naton pääsihteeri Jens Stoltenbergin 25.10.2021. (51628817943).jpg with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin in Helsinki, Finland on 25 October 2021]]
In April 2014, while Carl Haglund was Defence Minister, the government announced that it was negotiating a {{ill|Finland–NATO memorandum of understanding|lt=memorandum of understanding with NATO|fi|Suomen ja Naton isäntämaasopimus}} on Finland's readiness to receive military assistance and to aid NATO in equipment maintenance. He emphasized that this memorandum was not a step toward membership.{{cite news|url=http://www.finnbay.com/finland-signs-memorandum-of-understanding-with-nato/|title=Finland To Sign Memorandum of Understanding With NATO|date=22 April 2014 |access-date=22 April 2014|work=Finnbay |archive-date=24 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424134332/http://www.finnbay.com/finland-signs-memorandum-of-understanding-with-nato/ |url-status=live}} The agreement, signed in September 2014, allows NATO and Finland to hold joint exercises on Finnish soil and permits assistance from NATO members in situations such as "disasters, disruptions, and threats to security".{{cite web |author=Sander |first=Gordon F. |date=15 October 2014 |title=Could Putin's Russia push neutral Finland into NATO's arms? |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2014/1015/Could-Putin-s-Russia-push-neutral-Finland-into-NATO-s-arms |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301103027/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2014/1015/Could-Putin-s-Russia-push-neutral-Finland-into-NATO-s-arms |archive-date=1 March 2022 |access-date=20 May 2016 |work=The Christian Science Monitor}} As such, Finland (and Sweden) participated in the 2015 NATO-led Arctic Challenge Exercise.{{cite news |date=25 May 2015 |title=NATO fighter jets join nordic countries in Arctic military exercise |work=CBC |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nato-fighter-jets-join-nordic-countries-in-arctic-military-exercise-1.3086264 |url-status=live |access-date=28 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128152121/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nato-fighter-jets-join-nordic-countries-in-arctic-military-exercise-1.3086264 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |via=}}
In January 2022, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said that Finland reserved the option of applying NATO membership if it chooses to do so, but she said it was "very unlikely" it would happen during her term as prime minister.{{Cite web |date=1 January 2022 |title=Marin on NATO: Finland should keep options open |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12255035 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102222107/https://yle.fi/news/3-12255035 |archive-date=2 January 2022 |access-date=3 January 2022 |website=Yle News}}{{Cite web |last=Haavisto |first=Markku |date=20 January 2022 |title=Pääministeri Marin Reutersille: Suomen liittyminen Natoon "hyvin epätodennäköistä" tällä hallituskaudella |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12278447 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512145920/https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12278447 |archive-date=12 May 2022 |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=Yle News}}
== 2022–2023: Accession process following the Russian invasion of Ukraine ==
===February–May 2022: Initial response to the invasion===
File:Sanna Marin and Magdalena Andersson in 2022.jpg with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson in Helsinki, Finland on 5 March 2022]]
On 24 February 2022, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the prime minister reiterated that while Finland was "not currently facing an immediate military threat", joining NATO was still a possibility, noting that "the debate on NATO membership in Finland will change".{{Cite web |date=24 February 2022 |title=Finnish President: Putin's mask comes off, showing "cold face of war" |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12332089 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226170755/https://yle.fi/news/3-12332089 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |website=Yle News}} On 25 February, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson threatened Finland and Sweden with "military and political consequences" if they attempted to join NATO. Both countries had attended the emergency NATO summit as members of NATO's Partnership for Peace and both had condemned the invasion and had provided assistance to Ukraine.{{cite news|title=Russia threatens Finland and Sweden over potential NATO membership|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/25/ukraine-invasion-russia-news/#link-UN32STLHHRFIPNVCYZEEIDD66M|newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=26 February 2022|date=25 February 2022 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226004107/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/25/ukraine-invasion-russia-news/#link-UN32STLHHRFIPNVCYZEEIDD66M |url-status=live}} Following a meeting on 1 March 2022 to discuss whether to apply to become full members of NATO, Prime Minister Sanna Marin stated that no decision had been made on the issue yet, saying that "such an important question needs to be dealt with thoroughly".{{Cite web |date=2022-03-02 |title=PM Marin: Finland's Nato membership decision needs more time |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12339857 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302181200/https://yle.fi/news/3-12339857 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Yle News}} According to news reports from early March 2022, Finland and Sweden had begun plans to apply for Major non-NATO ally status with the United States.{{Cite web |last=Buchert |first=Peter |title=Finland och Sverige driver närmare Nato – utan att bekräfta slutmålet |url=https://www.hbl.fi/artikel/finland-och-sverige-driver-narmare-nato-utan-att-bekrafta-slutmalet/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=www.hbl.fi |language=sv}}{{Cite web |last=Molik |first=Przemysław |date=2022-03-08 |editor-last=Adamczyk |editor-first=Grzegorz |title=Finland and Sweden seek US defense guarantees in 'Northern Fortress' alliance to deter Russian ambitions in the Nordic region |url=https://rmx.news/poland/finland-and-sweden-seek-us-defense-guarantees-in-northern-fortress-alliance-to-deter-russian-ambitions-in-the-nordic-region/ |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=Remix News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Karvala |first1=Kreeta |last2=Nurmi |first2=Lauri |date=2022-03-05 |title=IL:n tiedot: Suomi ja Ruotsi hakevat yhdessä Major non-NATO ally -statuksen kaltaista yhteistyötä Yhdysvaltain kanssa |url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a/a5f72427-d975-4ece-adc3-be7703c3ade7 |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=www.iltalehti.fi |language=fi}}
Opinion polling following the invasion showed an unprecedented increase in support for joining NATO among Finns, with a clear majority in favour.{{cite web |date=14 March 2022 |title=Yle poll: Support for Nato membership hits record high |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12357832 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314133731/https://yle.fi/news/3-12357832 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |access-date=14 March 2022 |website=Yle News}} Several citizens' initiatives on the subject got the required 50,000 signatures, requiring the Parliament of Finland to consider the matter.{{cite web |date=27 February 2022 |title=Finnish Nato referendum goes on parliamentary agenda |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12335563 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308043126/https://yle.fi/news/3-12335563 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |access-date=8 March 2022 |website=Yle News}}{{cite web|title=Citizens' initiative|url=https://dvv.fi/en/citizens-initiative|website=Yle |access-date=8 March 2022 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308043130/https://dvv.fi/en/citizens-initiative |url-status=live}}{{cite web |date=3 March 2022 |title=Second Nato citizens' initiative reaches required 50k signatures |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12341365 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308043128/https://yle.fi/news/3-12341365 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |access-date=8 March 2022 |website=Yle News}} President Niinistö characterised the polling as demonstrating sufficient popular support for an application.{{cite web |date=31 March 2022 |title=Niinistö: Polls demonstrate required popular support for Nato membership |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12384116 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405032005/https://yle.fi/news/3-12384116 |archive-date=5 April 2022 |access-date=5 April 2022 |website=Yle News}} Prime Minister Marin suggested that the decision process must be concluded in the spring and in a matter of "weeks, not months".{{cite news |date=2 April 2022 |title=PM: Nato decision must happen this spring |website=Yle News |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12388118 |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405020900/https://yle.fi/news/3-12388118 |archive-date=5 April 2022}}{{cite news|title=Marin: Nato decision will happen "within weeks not months"|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12403966|work=Yle News|date=13 April 2022 |access-date=13 April 2022 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141232/https://yle.fi/news/3-12403966 |url-status=live}}
On 13 April 2022, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs produced a report on the international security landscape and on the foreign and defence policy options available to Finland, which is expected to form the basis of the debate on NATO membership.{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12403898|title=Government report: Finland and Sweden joining Nato would increase security in the Baltic Sea region|work=Yle News|date=13 April 2022 |access-date=13 April 2022 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413130743/https://yle.fi/news/3-12403898 |url-status=live}} The report identifies that the Russian invasion has changed the long-term European security environment and made it more difficult to predict and act in the near term.{{sfn|MoFA|2022|p=10}} It does not explicitly take a position on NATO membership, but does state that the present security arrangements are insufficient and that membership would increase stability, although there is no immediate threat. As a member, Finland would not be obliged to accept foreign bases or the presence of nuclear weapons on its territory; Finland's defence budget would rise by 1 to 1.5%.{{sfn|MoFA|2022|p=27}} Helsingin Sanomat assessed it as a positive evaluation of NATO membership.{{cite news |last1=Aholainen |first1=Saara |last2=Nalbantoglu |first2=Minna |date=13 April 2022 |title=Tässä on selonteon keskeinen anti tiivistettynä |language=fi |work=Helsingin Sanomat |url=https://www.hs.fi/politiikka/art-2000008748126.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427205405/https://www.hs.fi/politiikka/art-2000008748126.html |archive-date=27 April 2022}}
Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the National Coalition Party and Swedish People's Party of Finland supported NATO membership, and the other parties were neutral or opposed to varying degrees. In 2016, the party conference of the National Coalition Party agreed that Finland should apply for membership "in the next few years".{{cite news |last=Metelinen |first=Sami |date=12 June 2016 |title=Kokoomus päätti Nato-linjastaan: Puolustusliittoon lähivuosina |work=Verkkouutiset |publisher= |url=http://www.verkkouutiset.fi/politiikka/kokoomuksen%20kannanotot-51679 |url-status=live |access-date=12 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613112914/http://www.verkkouutiset.fi/politiikka/kokoomuksen%20kannanotot-51679 |archive-date=13 June 2016}} In the vision of the Swedish People's Party of Finland set out in the same year, Finland will be a NATO member in 2025.{{cite news |last1=Harala |first1=Samuli |last2=de Fresnes |first2=Tulikukka |date=12 June 2016 |title=RKP on nyt virallisesti Nato-puolue |work=Yle News |publisher= |url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/rkp_on_nyt_virallisesti_nato-puolue/8951589 |url-status=live |access-date=12 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612140533/http://yle.fi/uutiset/rkp_on_nyt_virallisesti_nato-puolue/8951589 |archive-date=12 June 2016}} Many individual politicians have advocated for NATO as well, including the former President Sauli Niinistö and current President Alexander Stubb,{{cite news |last1=Rosendahl |first1=Jussi |last2=Suoninen |first2=Sakari |date=14 June 2014 |title=Stubb to be Finland's next PM, backs NATO membership |work=Reuters |editor-last=Jones |editor-first=Gareth |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-finland-primeminister-idUSKBN0EP0EW20140614 |url-status=live |access-date=14 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717200023/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-finland-primeminister-idUSKBN0EP0EW20140614 |archive-date=17 July 2019}} as well as former President Martti Ahtisaari,{{cite news |date=12 April 2014 |title=Ex-President Ahtisaari calls on Finland to join NATO with Sweden |work=YLE News |agency= |url=https://yle.fi/a/3-7185872 |url-status=live |access-date=18 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419031103/https://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20140412/ex-president-ahtisaari-calls-finland-join-nato-sweden |archive-date=19 April 2014}} who has argued that Finland should join all the organizations supported by other Western democracies in order "to shrug off once and for all the burden of Finlandization".{{cite news|url=http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20031215IE6|title=Former President Ahtisaari: NATO membership would put an end to Finlandisation murmurs|work=Helsingin Sanomat|date=15 December 2003|access-date=20 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205075236/http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20031215IE6|archive-date=5 December 2008}} Two other former presidents from the Social Democratic Party, Tarja Halonen and Mauno Koivisto, have publicly opposed the idea, arguing that NATO membership would deteriorate Finland's relations with Russia.{{cite news|url=http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20040120IE3|title=Finland, NATO, and Russia|work=Helsingin Sanomat|date=20 January 2004 |access-date=20 September 2008|first=Max|last=Jakobson |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205075241/http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20040120IE3 |archive-date=5 December 2008}} The Left Alliance has been the party most opposed to joining NATO; when they entered into coalition with the SDP in 2019, they made clear that any movement toward a military alliance would lead to the Left Alliance leaving the cabinet. The party's position changed following the invasion, with chair Li Andersson calling for a thoughtful, society-wide discussion and evaluation of the possibility of applying to join NATO,{{cite news |date=19 March 2022 |title=Andersson: Left Alliance would not quit cabinet over possible Nato application |work=Yle News |publisher= |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12367191 |url-status=live |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712000210/https://yle.fi/news/3-12367191 |archive-date=12 July 2022}} and later confirming that the party had decided not to resign from the government if an application is submitted.{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12436142|title=Left Alliance says it will not leave government over Nato|work=Yle News|date=8 May 2022 | access-date = 8 May 2022 | archive-date = 8 May 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220508104213/https://yle.fi/news/3-12436142 | url-status = live}} After the invasion and a large change in popular opinion, the leadership of the Center Party and Finns Party also changed position to support NATO membership.{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12398288|title=Centre Party says it will support potential Finnish Nato bid|work=Yle News|date=9 April 2022 |access-date=13 April 2022 |archive-date=12 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712000210/https://yle.fi/news/3-12398288 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12385697|title=Finns Party parliamentary group backs Nato membership, MPs to be allowed free vote|work=Yle News|date=31 March 2022 |access-date=13 April 2022 |archive-date=12 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712000211/https://yle.fi/news/3-12385697 |url-status=live}}
NATO has consistently maintained its "open door policy".{{sfn|MoFA|2022|p=25}} Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expected that the member states would "warmly welcome Finland as a member of NATO". He also said that this decision to invite Finland into NATO would offer it political protection during the ratification process. He has said that "Finnish membership would make NATO stronger", identifying the country's military capability and commitment to remaining a democratic society as assets.
{{see also|Finland–Russia relations}}
File:Finnish border in Raattentie - panoramio.jpg is about 1,340 km (833 mi) long.{{sfn|Grenfell|Jopling|2008|p=13}}|alt=A simple white fence with a red and yellow gate behind it set across a dirt path in a green forest.]]
File:Nuijamaa border crossing 2017 03 (cropped).jpg, Lappeenranta, South Karelia, in September 2017]]
Finland has received critical feedback from Russia for considering the possibility of joining NATO,{{cite news|url=http://www.finnbay.com/media/news/russian-foreign-minister-lavro-finland-wouldnt-dare-nato-membership/|title=Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov: Finland Wouldn't Dare for NATO Membership|date=15 June 2014 |access-date=15 June 2014|work=Finnbay |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030815/http://www.finnbay.com/media/news/russian-foreign-minister-lavro-finland-wouldnt-dare-nato-membership/ |url-status=live}} with a 2009 study suggesting this could have repercussions for Russia's relations with the EU and NATO as a whole.{{cite web|url=http://www.da.mod.uk/colleges/arag/document-listings/special/09(14)%20KGSE%20Web.pdf|title=Waking the Neighbour: Finland, NATO and Russia: Keir Giles and Susanna Eskola, UK Defence Academy, November 2009|access-date=24 April 2022|archive-date=31 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031180238/http://www.da.mod.uk/colleges/arag/document-listings/special/09(14)%20KGSE%20Web.pdf|url-status=live}} Following the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen reiterated that Finland had no plans to join NATO, and stated that the main lesson of the war was the need for closer ties to Russia.[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aqM3uWSVFD7s Deeper Russia Ties Is Georgia War Lesson, Finnish Premier Says] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924183712/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aqM3uWSVFD7s |date=24 September 2015 }} Bloomberg Retrieved on 9 October 2009 In a June 2014 interview in the Finnish newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet, Vladimir Putin's personal envoy Sergey Alexandrovich Markov accused Finland of extreme "Russophobia" and suggested that Finland joining NATO could start World War III.{{cite news|url=http://barentsobserver.com/en/security/2014/06/putin-envoy-warns-finland-against-joining-nato-09-06|title=Putin envoy warns Finland against joining NATO|work=Barents Observer|first=Thomas|last=Nilsen|date=9 June 2014 |access-date=9 June 2014 |archive-date=12 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140612013903/http://barentsobserver.com/en/security/2014/06/putin-envoy-warns-finland-against-joining-nato-09-06 |url-status=live}} In July 2016, Putin stated on a visit to Finland that Russia would increase the number of troops on the Finnish border if Finland were to join NATO. He also warned that NATO would "fight to the last Finn against Russia".{{cite news|url=http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/a1467354133054|title=Putin moitti Natoa tiukasti Suomen-vierailullaan|work=Helsingin Sanomat|date=2 July 2016 |access-date=3 July 2016 |archive-date=3 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703120054/http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/a1467354133054 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Teivainen |first=Aleksi |date=2016-07-05 |title=Putin has toughened up his rhetoric, views expert |url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/14078-putin-has-toughened-up-his-rhetoric-views-expert.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805015729/https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/14078-putin-has-toughened-up-his-rhetoric-views-expert.html |archive-date=5 August 2020 |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=Helsinki Times |language=en-gb}}
After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and the radical shift in Finnish positions toward joining NATO, Maria Zakharova and Dmitry Medvedev warned that joining NATO would have consequences for Finland, including the deployment of nuclear weapons;{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12410667|title=Russia issues new warning about Finland, Sweden joining Nato|work=Yle News|date=20 April 2022 | access-date = 27 April 2022 | archive-date = 27 April 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220427161529/https://yle.fi/news/3-12410667 | url-status = live}} Russian newspaper Izvestia reported that the Finnish lease on the Saimaa canal may be terminated.{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12419679|title=Russian media: Kremlin may terminate Saimaa canal contract if Finland joins Nato|work=Yle News|date=27 April 2022 | access-date = 27 April 2022 | archive-date = 27 April 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220427114112/https://yle.fi/news/3-12419679 | url-status = live}}
According to {{ill|Hanna Smith|fi}}, Director of Research at the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, the rapidity of Finnish movement into NATO has surprised Russia. She predicted that Russia will begin a hybrid campaign to influence the Finnish decision process, including cyber attacks, with increasing escalation if Finland moves closer to membership.{{cite news |last1=Määttänen |first1=Juuso |last2=Sutinen |first2=Essi |date=27 April 2022 |title=Suomen Nato-prosessin nopeus yllätti Venäjän, ja nyt puhe fasistisesta Suomesta on yltynyt, sanoo tutkija |language=fi |work=Helsingin Sanomat |url=https://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/art-2000008774639.html |url-status=live |access-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427050620/https://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/art-2000008774639.html |archive-date=27 April 2022}}
Russia has halted providing natural gas to neighbouring Finland after the Nordic country refused to pay supplier Gazprom in rubles. Russia's leading exporter of electricity to the Nordic market, RAO Nordic, has announced that it has decided to cut electricity supplies to Finland due to payment arrears.{{Cite news |date=2022-05-13 |title=Russian operator to suspend electricity supply to Finland |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61442432 |access-date=2023-04-20 |archive-date=25 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325071055/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61442432 |url-status=live }}
Polls asking the Finnish public whether they support or oppose joining NATO have been regularly conducted. This table includes only unconditional questions; other polled topics include support for joining NATO should Sweden also join, and support for joining NATO if the Finnish government officially recommends membership, both of which generally increased public support for joining.{{Cite web |last=Koivisto |first=Matti |date=2022-02-28 |title=Ylen kysely: Enemmistö suomalaisista kannattaa Suomen Nato-jäsenyyttä |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12336530 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228132242/https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12336530 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=Yle Uutiset |language=fi}}{{Cite web|date=28 February 2022|title=Majority of Finns support Nato membership, poll shows|url=https://www.ft.com/content/83deaf3e-6db9-43dd-a2dc-5e9493265c2d|website=Financial Times|access-date=7 April 2023|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407011726/https://www.ft.com/content/83deaf3e-6db9-43dd-a2dc-5e9493265c2d|url-status=live}}
According to Helsingin Sanomat's data between 20 and 26 June 2022, 70% said Finland would not meet Turkey's demands, and 14% that it would.{{cite web |last=Huhtanen |first=Jarmo |date=2022-06-27 |title=Selvä enemmistö suomalaisista ei halua, että Suomi muuttaa lainsäädäntöään tai luopuu periaatteistaan Turkin vuoksi |url=https://www.hs.fi/politiikka/art-2000008903207.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627071934/https://www.hs.fi/politiikka/art-2000008903207.html |archive-date=27 June 2022 |access-date=27 June 2022 |website=Helsingin Sanomat |publisher= |language=fi}} According to Ilta-Sanomat's data, between 30 January and 1 February 2023, 53% of Finnish respondents said they wanted to join NATO without waiting for Sweden to join, 28% said they wanted to wait to join NATO with Sweden, and 19% were undecided.{{cite web |last=Hallikainen |first=Iida |date=2023-02-02 |title=IS-kyselyn enemmistö iski mielipiteensä pöytään: Suomen ei pitäisi odottaa Ruotsin Nato-jäsenyyden ratifiointia |url=https://www.is.fi/politiikka/art-2000009365108.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204000151/https://www.is.fi/politiikka/art-2000009365108.html |archive-date=4 February 2023 |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=Ilta-Sanomat |publisher= |language=fi}}{{Cite web |last1=Kauranen |first1=Anne |last2=Lehto |first2=Essi |date=10 February 2023 |editor-last=Baum |editor-first=Bernadette |editor2-last=Fincher |editor2-first=Christina |title=Finland debates NATO ratification that may leave Sweden behind |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-discuss-nato-ratification-that-may-leave-sweden-behind-2023-02-10/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412015543/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-discuss-nato-ratification-that-may-leave-sweden-behind-2023-02-10/ |archive-date=12 April 2023 |access-date=12 April 2023 |website=Reuters}}
{{row hover highlight}}
{{Infobox treaty
| name = Accession of Finland to NATO
| long_name = Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of Finland
{{Langx|fr|Protocole au traité de l'Atlantique Nord sur l'Accession de la République de Finlande}}
{{Langx|fi|Pöytäkirja Pohjois-Atlantin sopimukseen Suomen tasavallan liittymisestä}}
{{Langx|sv|Protokoll till Nordatlantiska fördraget om Republiken Finlands anslutning}}
| image = Finland NATO Locator Lambert.svg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = {{legend inline|#346733|NATO members}} {{legend inline|#ff6600|Finland}} {{legend striped|#346733|#c0c0c0|Simultaneous NATO applicant (Sweden)}}
| type = Accession treaty
| date_signed = {{Start date|df=yes|2022|07|05}}
| location_signed = Brussels, Belgium
| date_effective = {{Start date|df=yes|2023|04|04}}
| condition_effective = Entry into force of the accession treaty after ratification by all current NATO members. Membership of Finland starts after deposit of its instrument of accession after the treaty has entered into force.
| ratifiers = {{Composition bar|30|30|hex=#003366}}
| depositor = United States
| languages = English and French
}}
File:Pääministeri Marin Berliinissä 3.5.2022 (52047072578).jpg (on the left), Sanna Marin and Olaf Scholz held talks about potential NATO membership for Finland and Sweden in spring 2022.]]
===May–June 2022: Declaration of intent, application===
File:Presidentti Sauli Niinistö ja pääministeri Sanna Marinin tiedotustilaisuus 15.5.2022 (52073724707).jpg Sanna Marin and President Sauli Niinistö at the press conference announcing Finland's intent to apply to NATO on 15 May 2022.]]
File:Valtioneuvoston istunto ja tasavallan presidentin esittely 17.5.2022.jpg Pekka Haavisto signing Finland's application for NATO membership in 2022]]
File:P20220519AS-1122 (52196371573).jpg with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson 19 May 2022]]
File:Kamala Harris joined President Biden welcoming Sweden and Finland on their NATO application (1).jpg and President Joe Biden with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson in Washington discussing Sweden's and Finland's NATO applications.]]
On 12 May 2022, Finnish president Sauli Niinistö and prime minister Sanna Marin announced in a joint press conference that they were in favour of seeking NATO membership "without delay".{{Cite news|date=2022-05-12|title=Finland Nato: Russia threatens to retaliate over membership move|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61420185 |url-status=live |access-date=2022-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712000211/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61420185 |archive-date=12 July 2022}} On 15 May 2022, Niinistö and Marin announced that the president and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy had adopted a report endorsing Finland joining NATO, beginning the formal constitutional process of applying.{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12446441|title=It's official: Finland to apply for Nato membership|work=Yle News|date=15 May 2022 | access-date = 15 May 2022 | archive-date = 15 May 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220515101114/https://yle.fi/news/3-12446441 | url-status = live}} A Finnish application had been anticipated following the Russian invasion of Ukraine degrading the European security environment, and a significant shift in Finnish public opinion on the desirability of membership.{{Cite web|date=2022-05-12|title=Finnish leaders confirm support for Nato application|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12442140 |access-date=2022-05-12|website=Yle News|language=en |archive-date=14 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514053712/https://yle.fi/news/3-12442140 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Henley|first=Jon|date=2022-05-12|title=Finland must apply to join Nato without delay, say president and PM|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/12/finland-apply-join-nato-without-delay-president-pm |access-date=2022-05-12|website=The Guardian|language=en |archive-date=1 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601161035/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/12/finland-apply-join-nato-without-delay-president-pm |url-status=live}}
The government's proposal to join was approved in parliament by 188 votes to 8 on 17 May.{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12449487|title=Finland's Parliament approves Nato application in historic vote|work=Yle News|date=17 May 2022 | access-date = 17 May 2022 | archive-date = 17 May 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220517123320/https://yle.fi/news/3-12449487 | url-status = live}} The next day, Finland submitted an official application to NATO in Brussels jointly with Sweden; the organisation considered the applications and then negotiations began.{{cite news|last=Browne|first=Ronan|date=18 May 2022|title=Finland, Sweden formally submit application letters to Nato|work=Yle News|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12450593 |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518075246/https://yle.fi/news/3-12450593 |archive-date=18 May 2022}} Negotiations were expected to take weeks, after which Finland would participate in NATO activities at all levels on a provisional basis during the ratification period.{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12432701|title=Stoltenberg: "Finnish membership will make Nato stronger"|work=Yle News|date=5 May 2022 | access-date = 5 May 2022 | archive-date = 5 May 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220505155000/https://yle.fi/news/3-12432701 | url-status = live}} With negotiations concluded and a reconfirmation of the applicant's intent to join, the accession protocol needed ratification by all the existing NATO member states;{{sfn|MoFA|2022|p=51}} this was estimated to take between four months and a year.{{cite news |last=Nalbantoglu |first=Minna |date=20 April 2022 |title=Eduskunnassa alkaa tänään Nato-keskustelu, joka voi johtaa kauaskantoiseen ja historialliseen päätökseen jäsenyydestä |language=fi |work=Helsingin Sanomat |url=https://www.hs.fi/politiikka/art-2000008742258.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426135710/https://www.hs.fi/politiikka/art-2000008742258.html |archive-date=26 April 2022}} After ratification was completed, the Parliament of Finland needed to pass an Act to formally bring the accession into force.{{sfn|MoFA|2022|p=51}}
During the interval between initiating an application and membership entering into force, Finland was at risk.{{sfn|MoFA|2022|p=28}} Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, said that Finland could join the alliance "very quickly" and that there would be some degree of protection for Finland during that period.{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12396442|title=Nato chief: Decision on Finland's membership can be quick|work=Yle News|date=8 April 2022 |access-date=13 April 2022 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141053/https://yle.fi/news/3-12396442 |url-status=live}} Non-binding security promises were received from the United Kingdom{{cite news|date=11 May 2022|title='Look in the mirror', Niinistö tells Russia as Finland and UK make joint security declaration|work=Yle News|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12441348 |url-status=live |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515155724/https://yle.fi/news/3-12441348 |archive-date=15 May 2022}} and the United States,{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12446564|title=Niinistö meets with US Senators in Helsinki on Monday|work=Yle News|date=15 May 2022 | access-date = 15 May 2022 | archive-date = 15 May 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220515150137/https://yle.fi/news/3-12446564 | url-status = live}} and other reports claimed that further promises would be received from the other Nordic countries{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12441543|title=Paper: Nordic Nato nations pledge support for Finland, Sweden|work=Yle News|date=11 May 2022 | access-date = 15 May 2022 | archive-date = 15 May 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220515155725/https://yle.fi/news/3-12441543 | url-status = live}} as well as France and Germany.{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12433294|title=STT: Germany, France, US pledge military support for Finland during Nato process|work=Yle News|date=5 May 2022 | access-date = 5 May 2022 | archive-date = 5 May 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220505151505/https://yle.fi/news/3-12433294 | url-status = live}}
The European Union announced its support for Finland and Sweden's NATO membership.{{cite web |last=Tuğrul Çam |first=Ömer |date=2022-05-17 |title=AB, Finlandiya ve İsveç'in NATO başvurusuna desteğini yineledi |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/ab-finlandiya-ve-isvecin-nato-basvurusuna-destegini-yineledi/2590677 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225183253/https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/ab-finlandiya-ve-isvecin-nato-basvurusuna-destegini-yineledi/2590677 |archive-date=25 December 2022 |access-date=25 December 2022 |website=Anadolu Agency |publisher= |language=tr}} Croatia's president Zoran Milanović stated that his country should block ratification of Finland's accession until electoral reform measures are implemented in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, though the Foreign Minister expressed the government's support for any application.{{cite web|date=2022-04-26|title=Croatia to back Finland's Nato bid despite President's threats to block application|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12418999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601030543/https://yle.fi/news/3-12418999 |archive-date=1 June 2022 |access-date=2022-04-30|website=Yle|publisher=}} On 28 April 2022, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić-Radman announced that Croatia supports Finland and Sweden's applications for membership in NATO.{{Cite web |title=Grlic-Radman: Croatia supports Nato membership for Finland and Sweden|url=https://n1info.hr/english/news/grlic-radman-croatia-supports-nato-membership-for-finland-and-sweden/|access-date=2022-04-28 |website=www.n1info.hr|date=28 April 2022 |language=en }} In May 2022, the Portuguese government announced that they would fully support Finland and Sweden's NATO membership.{{cite web |date=2022-05-18 |url=https://www.portugal.gov.pt/en/gc23/communication/news-item?i=portugal-backs-finland-and-sweden-joining-nato|title=Portugal backs Finland and Sweden joining NATO |publisher=portugal.gov.pt |language=en}} Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan voiced his opposition to Finland and Sweden joining NATO, saying that it would be "impossible" for Turkey to support their application while the two countries allow groups which Turkey classifies as terrorist organizations, including the Kurdish militant groups Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), Democratic Union Party (Syria) (PYD), and People's Defense Units (YPG) and the supporters of Fethullah Gülen, a US-based Muslim cleric accused by Turkey of orchestrating a failed 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt, to operate on their territory.{{cite news |last1=Toksabay |first1=Ece |last2=Lehto |first2=Essei |date=13 May 2022 |title=Erdogan says Turkey not supportive of Finland, Sweden joining NATO |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/erdogan-says-turkey-not-positive-finland-sweden-joining-nato-2022-05-13/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513152702/https://www.reuters.com/world/erdogan-says-turkey-not-positive-finland-sweden-joining-nato-2022-05-13/ |archive-date=13 May 2022}}{{Cite web|last=Bayer|first=Lili|date=2022-05-20|title=Sweden blasts Turkish "disinformation" as Erdoğan delays NATO accession|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/sweden-turkey-nato-erdogan-disinformation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524190816/https://www.politico.eu/article/sweden-turkey-nato-erdogan-disinformation/ |archive-date=24 May 2022 |access-date=2022-05-20|website=Politico}} (The PKK is on the European Union's list of terrorist organizations.){{Cite web|last=Szucs|first=Agnes|date=3 February 2022|title=EU updates terrorist list, extends sanctions for another 6 months|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/eu-updates-terrorist-list-extends-sanctions-for-another-6-months/2493478 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527073640/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/eu-updates-terrorist-list-extends-sanctions-for-another-6-months/2493478 |archive-date=27 May 2022 |access-date=27 May 2022|website=Anadolu Agency}} Turkey requested the extradition of alleged PKK members from the Nordic countries and demanded the arms embargo imposed by the Finnish and Swedish governments in response to its 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria against the YPG be lifted.{{cite web |last=Soyli |first=Ragip |date=2022-05-16 |title=Turkey demands extradition of PKK members from Sweden, Finland for Nato bid |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sweden-finland-nato-turkey-demands-extradition-pkk-members |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605174019/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sweden-finland-nato-turkey-demands-extradition-pkk-members |archive-date=5 June 2022 |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=Middle East Eye |publisher=}} Turkey's demands for extradition of Kurdish and other political dissidents has been met with hostility by Kurdish activists and some human rights organizations, due to Turkey's poor human rights record and suppression of the Kurdish minority in Turkey.{{Multiref2
|1=For more information about Turkish Kurdistan and Turkey's domestic relationship with the Kurdish population, as well as political concerns regarding Kurds in Sweden, see:
|2={{Cite journal|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/4327776|title=The Kurdish Problem in Turkey|author=Gunter, Michael M.|year=1988|journal=Middle East Journal|volume=42|issue=3|pages=389–406|jstor=4327776|access-date=10 August 2022|archive-date=8 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808184008/https://www.jstor.org/stable/4327776|url-status=live}}
|3={{Cite web|url=https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/kurdish-repression-turkey|title=Kurdish Repression in Turkey|website=www.culturalsurvival.org|date=9 February 2010 |access-date=10 August 2022|archive-date=12 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112193932/https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/kurdish-repression-turkey|url-status=live}}
|4={{Cite web|url=https://stockholmcf.org/suppression-of-kurdish-language-in-turkey-is-reflection-of-general-intolerance-towards-kurds-community-leader/|title=Suppression of Kurdish language in Turkey is reflection of general intolerance towards Kurds: community leader|date=12 May 2021|access-date=10 August 2022|archive-date=8 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808183935/https://stockholmcf.org/suppression-of-kurdish-language-in-turkey-is-reflection-of-general-intolerance-towards-kurds-community-leader/|url-status=live}}
|5={{Cite web|last1=dos Santos|first1=Nina|last2=Ahlskog Hou|first2=Li-Lian|date=20 June 2022|title=Anxious times for Sweden's Kurds as country attempts to join NATO|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/20/europe/sweden-finland-kurds-nato-application-cmd-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013183738/https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/20/europe/sweden-finland-kurds-nato-application-cmd-intl/index.html |archive-date=13 October 2022 |access-date=10 August 2022|website=CNN}}
|6={{Cite book|url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/turkey|title=English|chapter=Turkey: Events of 2021|date=14 December 2021|via=Human Rights Watch|access-date=10 August 2022|archive-date=15 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115152945/https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/turkey|url-status=live}}
|7={{Cite web|last=MacDonald|first=Alex|date=29 June 2022|title='Purely ideological': Turkey-Sweden Nato deal raises extradition risk for dissiden|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-sweden-nato-deal-raises-extradition-risk-dissidents |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830230243/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-sweden-nato-deal-raises-extradition-risk-dissidents |archive-date=30 August 2022 |access-date=10 August 2022|website=Middle East Eye}}
|8={{Cite web|url=https://stockholmcf.org/erdogan-seeks-extradition-of-turkish-political-dissidents-in-sweden-in-exchange-for-its-nato-bid-report/|title=Erdoğan seeks extradition of Turkish political dissidents in Sweden in exchange for its NATO bid: report|date=18 May 2022|access-date=10 August 2022|archive-date=8 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808183934/https://stockholmcf.org/erdogan-seeks-extradition-of-turkish-political-dissidents-in-sweden-in-exchange-for-its-nato-bid-report/|url-status=live}}}}
On 15 May 2022, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto and Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde announced that they are ready to address Turkey's security concerns and have always condemned terrorism.{{Cite web |title=Finlandiya Dışişleri Bakanı: NATO üyeliği konusunda Türkiye ile farklılıkların üstesinden gelebileceğimizi umuyorum|url=http://www.aa.com.tr|access-date=2022-05-14 |website=|language=tr }}{{Cite web |title=İsveç Dışişleri Bakanı Ann Linde: Türkiye ile görüşmelerde çözüme ulaşamadık|url=http://www.aa.com.tr|access-date=2022-05-15 |website=|language=tr }} On 16 May 2022, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin underlined that they are always ready for dialogue with Turkey regarding NATO membership and that the problem will be resolved as soon as possible.{{Cite news|date=2022-05-17|title=Marin puzzled by Turkey’s turn-about on Finnish and Swedish Nato bids|language=en-GB|work=Helsinki Times|url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/politics/21547-marin-puzzled-by-turkey-s-turn-about-on-finnish-and-swedish-nato-bids.html}} On 17 May 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Turkey to approve Finland and Sweden's NATO membership.{{cite web|url=https://www.birgun.net/haber/scholz-turkiye-nin-finlandiya-ve-isvec-in-nato-uyeligini-destekleyeceginden-eminim-388233|title=Scholz: Türkiye'nin, Finlandiya ve İsveç'in NATO üyeliğini destekleyeceğinden eminim|date=2022-05-17|language=tr|publisher=Birgün|access-date=24 January 2023|archive-date=24 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124155548/https://www.birgun.net/amp/haber/scholz-turkiye-nin-finlandiya-ve-isvec-in-nato-uyeligini-destekleyeceginden-eminim-388233|url-status=live}} On 18 May 2022, Turkey quickly prevented Finland and Sweden from starting NATO membership negotiations.{{cite web|url=https://www.rudaw.net/turkish/world/180520224|title=Türkiye'den İsveç ve Finlandiya'nın NATO'ya üyelik görüşmelerine engel|date=2022-05-18|language=tr|publisher=www.rudaw.net|access-date=20 December 2022|archive-date=20 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220213214/https://www.rudaw.net/turkish/world/180520224|url-status=live}} On the same day, Turkey asked Finland and Sweden, to end their support for PKK, PYD, YPG and the Gülen movement and to stop their activities.{{cite web |url =https://www.haber7.com/siyaset/haber/3223608-turkiyeden-finlandiya-ve-isvece-10-maddelik-manifesto |title =Türkiye'den Finlandiya ve İsveç'e 10 maddelik manifesto |language = tr |date = May 18, 2022 |website=www.haber7.com}} On 19 May 2022, Finland and Sweden announced that they could address Turkey's security concerns.{{cite web|url=https://tr.euronews.com/2022/05/19/finlandiya-ve-isvec-ten-ankara-ya-nato-mesaj-turkiye-nin-endiselerini-giderecegiz|title=Finlandiya ve İsveç'ten Ankara'ya NATO mesajı: Türkiye'nin endişelerini gidereceğiz|date=2022-05-19|language=tr|publisher=tr.euronews.com|access-date=22 December 2022|archive-date=22 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222170804/https://tr.euronews.com/2022/05/19/finlandiya-ve-isvec-ten-ankara-ya-nato-mesaj-turkiye-nin-endiselerini-giderecegiz|url-status=live}} On the same day, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Former Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced that they were always ready for talks with Turkey and always condemned terrorism.{{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/isvec-ve-finlandiya-liderlerinden-nato-konusunda-turkiye-ile-calisiyoruz-mesaji-/2592581|title=İsveç ve Finlandiya liderlerinden NATO konusunda 'Türkiye ile çalışıyoruz' mesajı|date=2022-05-19|language=tr|publisher=Anadolu Ajansı|access-date=23 December 2022|archive-date=23 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223154036/https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/isvec-ve-finlandiya-liderlerinden-nato-konusunda-turkiye-ile-calisiyoruz-mesaji-/2592581|url-status=live}} On 21 May 2022, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, after a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stated that Finland is ready for dialogue with Turkey on NATO membership and has always condemned terrorism.{{cite web|last=Lehto|first=Essi|date=2022-05-21 |editor-last=Solsvik |editor-first=Terje|title=Finland's president held "open and direct" talks with Turkey's Erdogan|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finlands-president-held-open-direct-talks-with-turkeys-erdogan-2022-05-21/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128232407/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finlands-president-held-open-direct-talks-with-turkeys-erdogan-2022-05-21/ |archive-date=28 January 2023 |access-date=28 January 2023|publisher=Reuters|language=en}}
On 24 May 2022, Finland and Sweden sent a delegation to meet with Turkey. Jukka Salovaara from Finland, Oscar Stenström from Sweden, İbrahim Kalın and Sedat Önal from Turkey served in the memorandum negotiations.{{cite web|url=https://m.star.com.tr/politika/finlandiya-ve-isvec-turkiyeye-heyet-gonderiyor-haber-1713302/|title=Finlandiya ve İsveç Türkiye'ye heyet gönderiyor|date=2022-05-24|language=tr|publisher=Star|access-date=28 December 2022|archive-date=28 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228234740/https://m.star.com.tr/politika/finlandiya-ve-isvec-turkiyeye-heyet-gonderiyor-haber-1713302/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.karar.com/dunya-haberleri/turkiye-ile-isvec-ve-finlandiya-heyetleri-ankarada-gorustu-1667580|title=Türkiye ile İsveç ve Finlandiya heyetleri Ankara'da görüştü|date=2022-05-25|language=tr|publisher=Karar|access-date=28 December 2022|archive-date=28 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228234738/https://www.karar.com/amp/dunya-haberleri/turkiye-ile-isvec-ve-finlandiya-heyetleri-ankarada-gorustu-1667580|url-status=live}} The first meeting of the delegations of Finland, Sweden and Turkey was held on 25 May 2022 in Ankara, Turkey.{{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/turkiye-ile-isvec-ve-finlandiya-heyetleri-cumhurbaskanligi-kulliyesinde-gorustu/2597547#|title=Türkiye ile İsveç ve Finlandiya heyetleri Cumhurbaşkanlığı Külliyesi'nde görüştü|language=tr|date=2022-05-25|publisher=aa.com.tr}} The second meeting of the delegations of Finland, Sweden and Turkey was held on 20 June 2022 in Brussels, Belgium.{{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/finlandiya-ve-isvecin-nato-basvurusu-ve-turkiyenin-endiseleriyle-ilgili-muzakereler-surecek/2618334#|title=Finlandiya ve İsveç'in NATO başvurusu ve Türkiye'nin endişeleriyle ilgili müzakereler sürecek|language=tr|date=2022-06-20|publisher=aa.com.tr}} The ruling parties in Turkey, the AKP and MHP, announced that they would not support the membership of Finland and Sweden,{{cite web|url=https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/ak-parti-sozcusu-celikten-isvec-ve-finlandiya-aciklamasi,aHIGk33DYUGcrY8-Kza_Nw|title=AK Parti Sözcüsü Çelik'ten İsveç ve Finlandiya açıklaması|date=2022-05-19|language=tr|publisher=NTV|access-date=19 December 2022|archive-date=19 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219194654/https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/ak-parti-sozcusu-celikten-isvec-ve-finlandiya-aciklamasi,aHIGk33DYUGcrY8-Kza_Nw|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://m.haberturk.com/son-dakika-mhp-lideri-bahceli-den-aciklamalar-3440921|title=MHP lideri Bahçeli'den İsveç ve Finlandiya mesajı|date=2022-05-17|language=tr|publisher=Haber Türk|access-date=19 December 2022|archive-date=19 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219194656/https://m.haberturk.com/son-dakika-mhp-lideri-bahceli-den-aciklamalar-3440921|url-status=live}} while the opposition parties CHP and HDP in Turkey announced that they support the membership of Finland and Sweden.{{cite web|url=https://www.tgrthaber.com.tr/politika/chpden-finlandiyanin-nato-uyeligine-destek-turkiyenin-karari-taktiksel-hata-2829621|title=CHP'den Finlandiya'nın NATO üyeliğine destek: Türkiye'nin kararı taktiksel hata|date=2022-05-24|language=tr|publisher=TGRT Haber|access-date=19 December 2022|archive-date=19 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219163805/https://www.tgrthaber.com.tr/politika/chpden-finlandiyanin-nato-uyeligine-destek-turkiyenin-karari-taktiksel-hata-2829621|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/hdpden-turkiyenin-isvec-ve-finlandiya-icin-nato-vetosuna-tepki-3831268|title=HDP'den Türkiye'nin İsveç ve Finlandiya için NATO vetosuna tepki|date=2022-05-26|language=tr|publisher=Yeni Şafak|access-date=19 December 2022|archive-date=19 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219163805/https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/hdpden-turkiyenin-isvec-ve-finlandiya-icin-nato-vetosuna-tepki-3831268|url-status=live}} Finnish President Niinistö said that he had earlier received favourable response, including from Erdoğan and foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, about Finland's membership;{{Cite web|last=Teivainen|first=Aleksi|date=16 May 2022|title=Niinistö calls for clearer answer from Erdoğan, sheds light on call with Putin|url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/21543-niinistoe-calls-for-clearer-answer-from-erdogan-sheds-light-on-call-with-putin.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517002357/https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/21543-niinistoe-calls-for-clearer-answer-from-erdogan-sheds-light-on-call-with-putin.html |archive-date=17 May 2022 |access-date=17 May 2022|website=Helsinki Times}} Niinistö and Haavisto urged patience, while Jussi Halla-aho, chair of the {{ill|Foreign Affairs Committee (Finland)|fi|Ulkoasiainvaliokunta|lt=Foreign Affairs Committee}}, suggested that Turkey wished to draw attention to Swedish policies, rather than to Finland's.{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12445837|title=Haavisto, Halla-aho downplay fears of possible Turkish Nato veto|work=Yle News|date=13 May 2022 | access-date = 15 May 2022 | archive-date = 14 May 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220514155251/https://yle.fi/news/3-12445837 | url-status = live}} Niinistö stated in June that his country would not move forward with their application without Sweden, and that the two countries would join NATO "hand in hand".{{cite web|url=https://euobserver.com/tickers/155194|title=Finland won't join Nato without Sweden: Niinistö|date=2022-06-13|access-date=2022-06-19|publisher=EUobserver|archive-date=19 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619041120/https://euobserver.com/tickers/155194|url-status=live}}
On 1 June 2022, Finnish President Niinistö stated in a statement regarding Finland's NATO membership that Turkey could address its concerns about terrorism, that it was always open to dialogue and that they always condemned terrorism.{{cite web |title=Niinistö: "Turkin huoli terrorismista on syytä ottaa vakavasti"|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/be2b2980-142e-4340-9387-6b839ce63a6b|publisher=Iltalehti|language=fi |date=1 June 2022}}
Speaking later, İbrahim Kalın, spokesman for Erdoğan, said that approving Finnish membership was not being ruled out, but that the status of these groups was "a matter of national security for Turkey" and that negotiation would be required.{{cite news|last1=Coskun|first1=Orhan|last2=Spicer|first2=Jonathan|last3=Sezer|first3=Can|date=14 May 2022|title=Exclusive: Turkey "not closing door" to Sweden, Finland NATO entry|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/exclusive-turkey-not-closing-door-sweden-finland-nato-entry-erdogan-advisor-says-2022-05-14/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514232643/https://www.reuters.com/world/exclusive-turkey-not-closing-door-sweden-finland-nato-entry-erdogan-advisor-says-2022-05-14/ |archive-date=14 May 2022}} After Kalın's statement, Erdoğan reiterated his threat to block Finland's and Sweden's membership applications.{{Cite web|last1=Lukov|first1=Yaroslav|last2=Murphy|first2=Matt|date=17 May 2022|title=Turkey threatens to block Finland and Sweden Nato bids|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61472021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516234922/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61472021 |archive-date=16 May 2022 |access-date=17 May 2022|website=BBC News}} NATO leadership and the United States said they were confident Turkey would not hold up the two countries accession process. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly also held talks with Turkey to convince the Turkish government of the need for the two Nordic nations' integration.{{Cite web|last=Brzozowski|first=Alexandra|date=2022-05-16|title=Sweden takes formal decision to apply for NATO membership|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/sweden-takes-formal-decision-to-apply-for-nato-membership/ |access-date=2022-05-16|website=www.euractiv.com|language=en-GB |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516173535/https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/sweden-takes-formal-decision-to-apply-for-nato-membership/ |url-status=live}} On 21 May, Erdoğan and Sauli Niinistö had a phone call to discuss Finland's NATO bid. Niinistö reiterated Finland's condemnation of terrorism in all forms.{{Cite news|date=2022-05-20|title=Turkey's Erdogan says to speak to Finland on Saturday|language=en|work=National Post|url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/turkeys-erdogan-says-to-speak-to-finland-on-saturday |access-date=2022-05-20}}{{Cite tweet|title=An open and direct phone call with President @RTErdogan. I stated that as NATO Allies Finland and Turkey will commit to each other's security and our relationship will thus grow stronger. Finland condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Close dialogue continues.|user=niinisto|number=1528002852588818432|date=21 May 2022|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=On NATO Bid, Finland-Turkey's "Open And Direct" Talks|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/on-nato-bid-finland-turkeys-open-and-direct-talks-2996932 |access-date=2022-05-21|website=NDTV.com |archive-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526061344/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/on-nato-bid-finland-turkeys-open-and-direct-talks-2996932 |url-status=live}} Kalın stated after the first meeting in Ankara that the process would not progress until Turkey's expectations were met and they did not feel any time pressure on them.{{Cite web|title=Sweden, Finland delegations in Turkey for NATO talks|url=https://www.anews.com.tr/world/2022/05/25/sweden-finland-delegations-in-turkey-for-nato-talks|website=anews.com.tr|date=25 May 2022 |access-date=5 June 2022 |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525120552/https://www.anews.com.tr/world/2022/05/25/sweden-finland-delegations-in-turkey-for-nato-talks |url-status=live}} After a delegation consisting of Swedish and Finnish diplomats held talks on the matter with its Turkish counterparts, Erdoğan repeated that he would not consent to their accession bid as the same day the talks were held in Ankara, Salih Muslim, who is considered a terrorist by Erdoğan, appeared on Swedish television.{{Cite web|date=29 May 2022|title=Erdoğan repeats opposition to NATO bids of Sweden, Finland|url=https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-nato/erdogan-repeats-opposition-nato-bids-sweden-finland|website=Ahval |access-date=5 June 2022 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130203744/https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-nato/erdogan-repeats-opposition-nato-bids-sweden-finland |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Turkey's Erdogan still against Finnish, Swedish NATO bids|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/may/29/turkeys-erdogan-still-against-finnish-swedish-nato/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605114209/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/may/29/turkeys-erdogan-still-against-finnish-swedish-nato/ |archive-date=5 June 2022 |access-date=2022-05-30|website=The Washington Times|agency=Associated Press}} Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli suggested that a scenario in which Turkey would leave NATO should be considered an option,{{Cite web|title=Leaving NATO should be on agenda: MHP leader – Turkey News|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/leaving-nato-should-be-on-agenda-mhp-leader-174038 |access-date=2022-05-29|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=24 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=3 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603125307/https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/leaving-nato-should-be-on-agenda-mhp-leader-174038 |url-status=live}} in which case a new military alliance could be founded.{{Cite web|date=27 May 2022|title=Main opposition urges gov't to close İncirlik base over NATO row|url=https://ahvalnews.com/kemal-kilicdaroglu/main-opposition-urges-govt-close-incirlik-base-over-nato-row |access-date=29 May 2022|website=Ahval |archive-date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527204947/https://ahvalnews.com/kemal-kilicdaroglu/main-opposition-urges-govt-close-incirlik-base-over-nato-row |url-status=live}} In late May 2022, opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu argued that in case the accession row persisted and AKP and MHP decided to close the Inçirlik Air Base, the CHP would support this.
===June 2022 – April 2023: Ratification===
File:Fumio Kishida attended the 2022 Madrid Summit (6).jpg.]]
File:President Joe Biden stands next to President Sauli Niinistö in the Oval Office.jpg with US President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C., United States on 9 March 2023]]
At the 2022 Madrid summit on 28 June, Niinistö, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, and Erdoğan signed an agreement to address Turkey's security concerns,{{cite press release|title=News: Türkiye, Finland, and Sweden sign agreement paving the way for Finnish and Swedish NATO membership|publisher=NATO|date=28 June 2022|url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_197251.htm | access-date=28 June 2022 | archive-date=28 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628184436/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_197251.htm | url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_197342.htm?selectedLocale=en|title=Trilateral memorandum between Türkiye, Finland and Sweden|date=28 June 2022|access-date=2022-08-06|publisher=NATO|archive-date=7 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807031801/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_197342.htm?selectedLocale=en|url-status=dead}} and Niinistö announced that Turkey had agreed to support membership of NATO for Finland and Sweden.{{cite web|last1=Kauranen|first1=Anne|last2=Pamuk|first2=Humeyra|date=28 June 2022|title=Finnish President Niinisto says Turkey has agreed to back Finnish and Swedish NATO membership|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finnish-president-niinisto-says-turkey-has-agreed-back-finnish-swedish-nato-2022-06-28/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628183827/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finnish-president-niinisto-says-turkey-has-agreed-back-finnish-swedish-nato-2022-06-28/ |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=28 June 2022|website=Reuters|publisher=}} In June 2022, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö announced in Madrid, after the agreement with Turkey, that Finland does not see the YPG as a terrorist organization and that Finland will continue to support the YPG.{{cite web |date=2022-06-30 |title=Finlandiya: YPG'ye terör örgütü demedik, değişen bir şey yok |url=https://www.diken.com.tr/finlandiya-ypgye-teror-orgutu-demedik-degisen-bir-sey-yok/ |publisher=Diken |language=tr}} The accession process began the following day, with the unanimous agreement of NATO members to formally invite the countries to join.{{Cite web|last=NATO|title=Madrid Summit Declaration|url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_196951.htm?selectedLocale=en |access-date=2022-06-29|website=NATO|language=en |archive-date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629134712/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_196951.htm?selectedLocale=en |url-status=live}} Negotiations were held on 4 July 2022, and the Accession Protocols were signed in Brussels on 5 July 2022.{{Cite web|last=Ott|first=Haley|date=5 July 2022|title=NATO allies sign accession protocols for Finland and Sweden in "truly historic moment"|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nato-finland-sweden-accession-protocols-russia-ukraine-war/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705173222/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nato-finland-sweden-accession-protocols-russia-ukraine-war/ |archive-date=5 July 2022 |access-date=2022-07-05|website=CBS News|language=en-US}} However, Erdogan reiterated his threat to veto their membership, stating that he expected the applicant countries to meet their obligations under the agreement before the Turkish Grand National Assembly would consider approving their accession protocol.{{cite web|date=2022-06-30|title=Erdogan says Sweden, Finland must fulfil NATO agreement promises|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/30/erdogan-calls-on-sweden-finland-to-fulfill-nato-deal-promises |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901110117/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/30/erdogan-calls-on-sweden-finland-to-fulfill-nato-deal-promises |archive-date=1 September 2022 |access-date=2022-08-06|website=Al Jazeera|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/tr/erdo%C4%9Fan-i%CC%87sve%C3%A7-ve-finlandiya-g%C3%B6revlerini-yerine-getirmezse-nato-%C3%BCyeli%C4%9Fi-parlamentodan-ge%C3%A7mez/a-62319165|title="Sözlerini tutmazlarsa NATO üyeliği parlamentodan geçmez"|date=2022-06-30|language=tr|publisher=DW Türkçe|access-date=30 November 2022|archive-date=30 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130152724/https://www.dw.com/tr/erdo%C4%9Fan-i%CC%87sve%C3%A7-ve-finlandiya-g%C3%B6revlerini-yerine-getirmezse-nato-%C3%BCyeli%C4%9Fi-parlamentodan-ge%C3%A7mez/a-62319165|url-status=live}} On 9 August 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden signed and approved the decision for Finland and Sweden to apply for membership in NATO.{{Cite news |date=2022-08-09 |title=Biden signs documents of U.S. support for Sweden, Finland to join NATO |language=en-GB |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-sign-documents-backing-sweden-finland-nato-2022-08-09/}} Finland, Sweden and Turkey held their first trilateral memorandum meeting on 26 August 2022 in Vantaa, Finland.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/turkiye-finland-sweden-to-hold-1st-trilateral-meeting-on-aug-26|title=Türkiye, Finland, Sweden to hold 1st trilateral meeting on Aug. 26|date=2022-08-20|publisher=dailysabah.com|access-date=25 August 2022|archive-date=30 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930224332/https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/turkiye-finland-sweden-to-hold-1st-trilateral-meeting-on-aug-26|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/a/3-12596985|title=Turkilla ei ollut Suomelle ja Ruotsille lisävaatimuksia Vantaalla aloitetuissa neuvotteluissa Nato-jäsenyyden vahvistamiseksi|date=2022-08-26|language=fi|publisher=YLE News|access-date=14 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202131652/https://yle.fi/a/3-12596985|url-status=live}} The second memorandum meeting between Finland, Sweden and Turkey was held on 25 November 2022 in Stockholm, Sweden.{{cite web|url=https://www.demokratgundem.com/h-turk-heyeti-i-svec-e-gidiyor-verilen-sozler-tutulacak-mi-40747|title=Türk heyeti İsveç'e gidiyor! Verilen sözler tutulacak mı?|date=2022-11-24|language=tr|publisher=www.demokratgundem.com|access-date=24 November 2022|archive-date=24 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124094902/https://www.demokratgundem.com/h-turk-heyeti-i-svec-e-gidiyor-verilen-sozler-tutulacak-mi-40747|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.is.fi/politiikka/art-2000009228077.html|title=Suomi, Ruotsi ja Turkki tapasivat Tukholmassa Nato-jäsenyyksien ratifiointiin liittyen|date=2022-11-25|language=fi|publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=14 December 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202131754/https://www.is.fi/politiikka/art-2000009228077.html|url-status=live}}
On 26 August 2022, Jukka Salovaara, chief negotiator responsible for Finland's NATO membership, said in a statement after the tripartite memorandum meeting in Vantaa that they are in deep consensus with Turkey.{{cite web|url=https://www.yeniakit.com.tr/amp/haber/1685777/finlandiyadan-flas-aciklama-turkiye-ile-derin-fikir-birligine-vardik|title=Finlandiya'dan flaş açıklama: Türkiye ile derin fikir birliğine vardık|date=2022-08-26|language=tr|publisher=Yeni Akit|access-date=31 January 2023|archive-date=31 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131224946/https://www.yeniakit.com.tr/amp/haber/1685777/finlandiyadan-flas-aciklama-turkiye-ile-derin-fikir-birligine-vardik|url-status=live}} On 8 December 2022, at a press conference he gave with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar during his visit to Turkey, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen stated that Finland has always condemned terrorism and that Finland is in full solidarity with Turkey in the fight against terrorism.{{cite web|url=https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/dunya/bakan-akar-finlandiya-savunma-bakani-kaikkonen-ile-bir-araya-geldi-2010052|title=Bakan Akar, Finlandiya Savunma Bakanı Kaikkonen ile bir araya geldi|date=2022-12-08|language=tr|publisher=Cumhuriyet|access-date=13 December 2022|archive-date=13 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213193506/https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/amp/dunya/bakan-akar-finlandiya-savunma-bakani-kaikkonen-ile-bir-araya-geldi-2010052|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/finlandiya-savunma-bakani-kaikkonen-turkiyenin-guvenlik-endiselerini-anliyoruz-terorle-mucadelede-kararliyiz/2758955|title=Finlandiya Savunma Bakanı Kaikkonen: Türkiye'nin güvenlik endişelerini anlıyoruz, terörle mücadelede kararlıyız|date=2022-12-08|language=tr|publisher=Anadolu Ajansı|access-date=14 December 2022|archive-date=14 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214055036/https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/finlandiya-savunma-bakani-kaikkonen-turkiyenin-guvenlik-endiselerini-anliyoruz-terorle-mucadelede-kararliyiz/2758955|url-status=live}} By November, Finland's NATO membership had been ratified by 28 out of 30 member states, with only Hungary and Turkey yet to complete their procedures. On 24 November 2022, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that he supported Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO, promising Hungary will ratify NATO membership in January.{{cite web|title=Viktor Orbán promises Hungary will ratify their accession in January|work=Euronews|date=24 November 2022|url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/11/24/viktor-orban-promises-hungary-will-ratify-nato-membership-for-finland-and-sweden-in-januar |access-date=25 November 2022 |archive-date=27 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127010652/https://www.euronews.com/2022/11/24/viktor-orban-promises-hungary-will-ratify-nato-membership-for-finland-and-sweden-in-januar |url-status=live}} The United States informally held up a Turkish purchase of F-16 fighter jets because of the Finnish and Swedish NATO membership issue.{{Cite web |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Turkey-likely-to-accept-Sweden-NATO-entry-after-elections-analysts |title=Turkey likely to accept Sweden NATO entry after elections: analysts |access-date=9 April 2023 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409050214/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Turkey-likely-to-accept-Sweden-NATO-entry-after-elections-analysts |url-status=live }} During the process of application, Sweden held elections resulting in a center-right government that pledged to continue the NATO process, reaffirming a united front with Finland's application, and suggesting that they would be more able to meet Turkish requirements.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/01/finland-and-sweden-call-on-hungary-and-turkey-to-ratify-nato-applications|title=Finland and Sweden call on Hungary and Turkey to ratify Nato applications|last=Henley|first=Jon|work=The Guardian|date=2022-11-01 |access-date=2022-11-01|language=en-GB |archive-date=29 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129125213/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/01/finland-and-sweden-call-on-hungary-and-turkey-to-ratify-nato-applications |url-status=live}}
On 8 January 2023, Finland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pekka Haavisto, told reporters that "Finland is not in such a rush to join NATO that we can't wait for Sweden to get the green light". Haavisto also stated that representatives from the Swedish and Finnish parliaments were expected to visit Ankara in January, with another meeting between the three countries scheduled for the spring.{{cite web|date=8 January 2023|title=Turkey 'wants things we can't give', says NATO hopeful Sweden|url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/01/08/turkey-wants-things-we-cant-give-them-says-nato-hopeful-sweden |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108181135/https://www.euronews.com/2023/01/08/turkey-wants-things-we-cant-give-them-says-nato-hopeful-sweden |archive-date=8 January 2023 |access-date=2023-01-08|website=Euronews}} On 23 January 2023, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar announced that Turkey had fully fulfilled the Turkey–Finland–Sweden tripartite memorandum, while Finland and Sweden did not, and that Turkey expected them to comply.{{cite web|url=https://www.rudaw.net/turkish/middleeast/turkey/230120237|title=Akar: İsveç ve Finlandiya'nın taahhütlerini yerine getirmelerini bekliyoruz|date=2023-01-23|language=tr|publisher=www.rudaw.net|access-date=23 January 2023|archive-date=23 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123140510/https://www.rudaw.net/turkish/middleeast/turkey/230120237|url-status=live}} On 24 January 2023, Haavisto announced that the trilateral memorandum talks with Finland, Sweden and Turkey would likely be suspended until after the parliamentary and presidential elections in Turkey.{{cite web|last=Lehto|first=Essi|date=2023-01-24|title=Finland says time-out needed in talks with Turkey over NATO bid|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-says-timeout-needed-talks-with-turkey-over-nato-bid-2023-01-24/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124091428/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-says-timeout-needed-talks-with-turkey-over-nato-bid-2023-01-24/ |archive-date=24 January 2023 |access-date=24 January 2023|publisher=Reuters|language=en}} The third meeting of the Finland, Sweden, and Turkey tripartite memorandum was to be held in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, in February, but the Finland, Sweden and Turkey tripartite memorandum meetings were canceled indefinitely upon Turkey's request.{{cite web|title=Turkey postpones NATO meeting with Sweden, Finland: State TV|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/24/turkey-postpones-nato-meeting-with-sweden-finland-state-tv|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=24 January 2023|access-date=6 April 2023|archive-date=6 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406074038/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/24/turkey-postpones-nato-meeting-with-sweden-finland-state-tv|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.birgun.net/haber/turkiye-isvec-finlandiya-gorusmeleri-suresiz-sekilde-iptal-edildi-418778|title=Türkiye-İsveç-Finlandiya görüşmeleri süresiz şekilde iptal edildi|date=2023-01-24|language=tr|publisher=Birgün|access-date=24 January 2023|archive-date=24 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124152855/https://www.birgun.net/amp/haber/turkiye-isvec-finlandiya-gorusmeleri-suresiz-sekilde-iptal-edildi-418778|url-status=live}} On 29 January 2023, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that he had requested the extradition of 130 suspected individuals in order for Finland and Sweden to be approved for NATO membership.{{cite web |url = https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/cumhurbaskani-erdogan-finlandiyaya-farkli-mesaj-verdigimizde-isvec-sok-olacak-741867.html|title=Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan: Finlandiya'ya farklı mesaj verdiğimizde İsveç şok olacak|language=tr|date = 29 January 2023 |work =trthaber.com }} In late January, Finland lifted its embargo on weapons exports to Turkey.{{cite web|url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-finland-permits-first-defence-export|title=Finland permits first defence export to Turkey since 2019|date=2023-01-25|accessdate=2023-04-09|publisher=Middle East Eye|archive-date=9 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409164803/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-finland-permits-first-defence-export|url-status=live}} On 1 February 2023, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that Turkey had a positive view of Finland's NATO membership, but not Sweden's NATO membership, due to Sweden allowing a demonstration by far-right politician Rasmus Paludan, where he had burnt the Quran.{{cite web|last1=Devranoglu|first1=Nevzat|last2=Erkoyun|first2=Ezgi|date=2023-02-01|title=Erdogan says Turkey positive on Finland's NATO bid, not Sweden's|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/turkey-looks-positively-finlands-nato-bid-not-swedens-erdogan-2023-02-01/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204162147/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/turkey-looks-positively-finlands-nato-bid-not-swedens-erdogan-2023-02-01/ |archive-date=4 February 2023 |access-date=4 February 2023|website=Reuters|publisher=|language=en}}
In March 2023, Jens Stoltenberg pushed for Hungary and Turkey to finalize the accession of Finland and Sweden by the July summit.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/nato-chief-pushes-for-finland-and-sweden-to-become-new-members-by-july|last=Cook|first=Lorne|date=2023-03-09 |access-date=2023-03-12|language=en-US|agency=Associated Press|publisher=PBS|title=NATO chief pushes for Finland and Sweden to become new members by July |archive-date=12 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312073553/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/nato-chief-pushes-for-finland-and-sweden-to-become-new-members-by-july |url-status=live}} Hungary's Orban stated in March that while he and his party Fidesz supported NATO membership for Finland and Sweden, he objected to their support for the EU's freezing of funds for Hungary due to concerns about rule-of-law and corruption. Orban said "it's not right for them to ask us to take them on board while they're spreading blatant lies about Hungary, about the rule of law in Hungary, about democracy, about life here".{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-nato-debate-sweden-finland-orban/32294510.html|title=Hungary's Fidesz Party To Back Finnish, Swedish NATO Accession|date=2023-03-01|accessdate=2023-04-09|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|archive-date=9 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409180636/https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-nato-debate-sweden-finland-orban/32294510.html|url-status=live}} A Hungarian delegation was sent to both countries to discuss the issue.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-07/hungary-moves-toward-nato-expansion-ratification-with-sweden-finland-visits|title=Hungary Officials Vow Support of NATO Expansion Into Nordics|date=2023-03-07|accessdate=2023-04-09|publisher=Bloomberg News|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307133311/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-07/hungary-moves-toward-nato-expansion-ratification-with-sweden-finland-visits|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/un-united-nations-hungary-nato-russia-war-3020d44642234f167d000fefb025c62c|title=Hungary: Criticism makes it hard to cooperate with West|date=2023-03-25|accessdate=2023-04-09|publisher=Associated Press|archive-date=9 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409182138/https://apnews.com/article/un-united-nations-hungary-nato-russia-war-3020d44642234f167d000fefb025c62c|url-status=live}} The third meeting of the tripartite memorandum between Finland, Sweden and Turkey was held in Brussels, Belgium, on 9 March 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.ntv.com.tr/dunya/bakan-cavusoglu-acikladi-isvec-ve-finlandiya-ile-yeni-toplantinin-tarihi-belli-oldu,33rQV5vDg0Gaskvr7_Vv0w|title=Bakan Çavuşoğlu açıkladı: İsveç ve Finlandiya ile yeni toplantının tarihi belli oldu|date=2023-02-27|language=tr|publisher=NTV|access-date=27 February 2023|archive-date=27 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227101626/https://www.ntv.com.tr/amp/dunya/bakan-cavusoglu-acikladi-isvec-ve-finlandiya-ile-yeni-toplantinin-tarihi-belli-oldu,33rQV5vDg0Gaskvr7_Vv0w|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkiye-sweden-finland-to-hold-trilateral-mechanism-meeting-181413|title=Türkiye, Sweden, Finland to hold trilateral mechanism meeting|date=2023-03-07|publisher=hurriyetdailynews.com|access-date=7 March 2023|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307131110/https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/amp/turkiye-sweden-finland-to-hold-trilateral-mechanism-meeting-181413|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Sweden, Finland and Turkey hold NATO talks, agree to more meetings|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sweden-finland-turkey-hold-nato-talks-agree-more-meetings-2023-03-09/|publisher=Reuters|date=9 March 2023|access-date=2023-04-06|archive-date=2023-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406071025/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sweden-finland-turkey-hold-nato-talks-agree-more-meetings-2023-03-09/|url-status=live}} The fourth meeting of the tripartite memorandum between Finland, Sweden and Turkey was held on 14 June 2023 in Ankara, the capital of Turkey.{{cite web|url=https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/turkiye-finlandiya-isvec-daimi-ortak-mekanizmasi-toplantisi-ankarada-yapildi-774828.html|title=Türkiye, Finlandiya, İsveç Daimi Ortak Mekanizması toplantısı Ankara'da yapıldı|date=2023-06-14|language=tr|publisher=TRT Haber|access-date=16 June 2023|archive-date=21 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621120848/https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/turkiye-finlandiya-isvec-daimi-ortak-mekanizmasi-toplantisi-ankarada-yapildi-774828.html|url-status=live}} The fifth meeting of the tripartite memorandum between Finland, Sweden and Turkey was held on 6 July 2023 in Brussels, Belgium.{{Cite web |title=Sweden's fraught path to NATO accession – DW – 06/30/2023 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/swedens-fraught-path-to-nato-accession/a-66085063 |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=dw.com |language=en |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701081511/https://www.dw.com/en/swedens-fraught-path-to-nato-accession/a-66085063 |url-status=live }} The sixth meeting of the tripartite memorandum between Finland, Sweden and Turkey was held on 2 May 2024 in Helsinki, Finland.{{cite web|url=https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/finlandiya-ve-isvecten-turkiyenin-terorle-mucadelesine-tam-destek-854871.html|title=Finlandiya ve İsveç'ten Türkiye'nin terörle mücadelesine tam destek|language=tr|date=2024-05-02|publisher=trthaber.com}} On 15 March 2023, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö announced that Turkey had made a decision on Finland's application and had invited him to meet with President Erdoğan in Ankara, with both Erdoğan and Turkish officials indicating that Finland's application would be approved. Turkish officials stated that it was "highly likely" that Finland's application would be approved in mid-April, prior to the Turkish general election. Turkish officials also stated that Finland's bid would be approved independently from that of Sweden.{{Cite web|last=Coskun|first=Orhan|date=2023-03-15|title=Turkey plans to ratify Finland's NATO bid ahead of May polls -sources|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/turkey-plans-ratify-finlands-nato-bid-ahead-may-polls-sources-2023-03-15/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315221941/https://www.reuters.com/world/turkey-plans-ratify-finlands-nato-bid-ahead-may-polls-sources-2023-03-15/ |archive-date=15 March 2023 |access-date=15 March 2023|website=Reuters|publisher=|language=en-US}} Erdoğan publicly announced on 17 March that he would drop his opposition to Finland joining the military alliance, stating a goal of formalizing the ratification of Finland's entry into NATO prior to the 2023 Turkish general election.{{Cite news|last1=Maslin|first1=Jared|last2=Engel Rasmussen|first2=Sune|title=Turkey's President Approves Finland's NATO Membership Bid|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/turkeys-president-approves-finlands-nato-membership-bid-8667b866?mod=Searchresults_pos2&page=1 |access-date=17 March 2023 |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317154235/https://www.wsj.com/articles/turkeys-president-approves-finlands-nato-membership-bid-8667b866?mod=Searchresults_pos2&page=1 |url-status=live}}
On 10 May 2023, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, in an interview with the German magazine Tagesspiegel, stated that Turkey considers the YPG as a terrorist organization, but Finland does not see it as a terrorist organization.{{cite web|url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/internationales/finnlands-aussenminister-haavisto-uber-den-nato-beitritt-wir-hatten-gluck-schweden-nicht-9791951.html|title=Finnlands Außenminister zum Nato-Beitritt: "Wir hatten Glück, Schweden nicht"|date=2023-05-10|language=de|publisher=Tagesspiegel|access-date=11 May 2023|archive-date=11 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511201701/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/internationales/finnlands-aussenminister-haavisto-uber-den-nato-beitritt-wir-hatten-gluck-schweden-nicht-9791951.html|url-status=live}}
File:Sanna Marin, Kamala Harris and Ulf Kristersson at MSC 2023 (cropped).jpg, Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris and Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson at the 59th Munich Security Conference]]
While Finland's Marin originally stated that it was "very important for us, of course, that Finland and Sweden would join NATO hand in hand," with Turkey continuing to raise concerns with Sweden and an April election due in Finland the Finnish government decided to proceed independently if all NATO members approved their membership.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-10-28/finnish-and-swedish-pms-assure-commitment-to-join-nato-together|title=Finland, Sweden Promise to Join NATO Together in United Front to Turkey|date=2022-10-28|accessdate=2023-04-09|publisher=Reuters|archive-date=9 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409184338/https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-10-28/finnish-and-swedish-pms-assure-commitment-to-join-nato-together|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/01/world/europe/finland-nato-sweden.html|title=Finland on Cusp of Joining NATO, but Maybe Not with Sweden|date=2023-03-01|accessdate=2023-04-09|work=The New York Times|archive-date=9 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409184337/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/01/world/europe/finland-nato-sweden.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/finland-says-it-s-ready-to-join-nato-even-without-sweden-1.1886912|title=Finland Says It's Ready to Join NATO Even Without Sweden|date=2023-02-22|accessdate=2023-04-09|publisher=Bloomberg News|archive-date=9 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409184338/https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/finland-says-it-s-ready-to-join-nato-even-without-sweden-1.1886912|url-status=live}} On 1 March 2023, the Parliament of Finland approved Finland's accession to NATO by a vote of 184 in favor and 7 opposed.{{cite web|last=Schultz|first=Teri|date=2023-03-01|title=NATO: Finland forges ahead|url=https://www.dw.com/en/helsinki-forges-ahead-as-stockholm-is-stuck-behind/a-64849214 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301150544/https://www.dw.com/en/helsinki-forges-ahead-as-stockholm-is-stuck-behind/a-64849214 |archive-date=1 March 2023 |access-date=1 March 2023|website=Deutsche Welle|publisher=|language=en}} On 23 March 2023, the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, gave the presidential assent by signing the Finnish ratification.{{cite news|last=Tanner|first=Jari|date=2023-03-23|title=President seals Finland's NATO bid by signing required laws|language=en|newspaper=The Washington Post|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/03/23/finland-nato-membership-president-legislation/2f4f754e-c982-11ed-9cc5-a58a4f6d84cd_story.html |access-date=2023-03-23}}
On 17 March 2023, it was announced that Hungary's legislature would vote on the ratification of Finland's NATO accession on 27 March 2023, and that parliamentarians of the ruling party, Fidesz, would unanimously support Finland's accession to NATO.{{cite web|url=https://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/madarsko-bude-vstup-finu-do-nato-ratifikovat-27-brezna-svedsko-si-pocka/2340217|title=Maďarsko bude vstup Finů do NATO ratifikovat 27. března, Švédsko si počká|website=ceskenoviny|date=17 March 2023 |access-date=18 March 2023|language=cs |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317161156/https://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/madarsko-bude-vstup-finu-do-nato-ratifikovat-27-brezna-svedsko-si-pocka/2340217 |url-status=live}} On 27 March 2023, the Hungarian parliament approved Finland's bid.{{Cite news|title=Hungarian parliament approves Finland's bid to join NATO|url=https://apnews.com/article/hungary-finland-parliament-nato-ratification-8f32a8397031e3dbe9eca4ecd8572d27|last=Spike|first=Justin|date=2023-03-27 |access-date=2023-03-31|work=Associated Press |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331010640/https://apnews.com/article/hungary-finland-parliament-nato-ratification-8f32a8397031e3dbe9eca4ecd8572d27 |url-status=live}}
On 31 March 2023, the Turkish parliament approved Finland's NATO accession, clearing its way to join the alliance.{{Cite news|last1=Rauhala|first1=Emily|last2=Timsit|first2=Annabelle|last3=Fahim|first3=Kareem|date=2023-03-31|title=Turkey approves Finland's NATO bid, clearing path for it to join alliance|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/30/turkey-finland-nato-vote/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-03-31 |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331024221/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/30/turkey-finland-nato-vote/}} On 1 April 2023, Erdoğan formally signed and approved the Turkish parliament's decision to ratify Finnish NATO membership.{{cite news|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20025375|title=Erdogan has signed ratification of Finland's Nato membership|website=Yle|date=1 April 2023 |access-date=4 April 2023 |archive-date=1 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401205652/https://yle.fi/a/74-20025375 |url-status=live}} Kurdish political parties in Turkey, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), abstained from voting on Finland's membership in March 2023, and the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) abstained and voted against Sweden's membership in January 2024.{{cite web |date=2023-03-31 |title=HDP, ilk kez bir askeri anlaşmaya 'hayır' demedi |url=https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr/hdp-ilk-kez-bir-askeri-anlasmaya-hayir-demedi-haber-1610967 |website=Gazete Duvar |language=tr}}{{cite web |date=2024-01-25 |title=Turkey's pro-Kurdish party opposed Sweden's NATO membership, voted against it in parliament |url=https://nordicmonitor.com/2024/01/turkeys-pro-kurdish-party-dep-opposed-to-swedens-nato-membership-voted-against-it-in-parliament/ |website=Nordic Monitor |language=en}} On 4 April 2023, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu delivered the document of approval for Finland's participation to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Brussels.{{cite web |date=2023-04-04 |url=https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-and-turkish-foreign-minister-mevlut-cavusoglu-at-the-deposit-of-turkiyes-instruments-of-ratification-of-finlands-nato-accession/|title=Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at the Deposit of Türkiye's Instruments of Ratification of Finland's NATO Accession |publisher=www.state.gov|language=en}}
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Timeline of Finnish collaboration with NATO |
| scope="col"| Event
!scope="col"| Date !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Reference |
|---|
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;" | Partnership for Peace
| {{dts|9 May 1994}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;" | Application submitted
| {{dts|18 May 2022}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;" | Invitation to join
| {{dts|29 June 2022}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;" | Accession protocol
| {{dts|5 July 2022}} |{{Cite web|date=5 July 2022|title=NATO Allies sign Accession Protocols for Finland and Sweden|url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_197763.htm |access-date=5 July 2022|publisher=NATO . |archive-date=11 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711214235/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_197763.htm |url-status=live}} |
| style="text-align:left;" | Domestic ratification
| {{dts|23 March 2023}} |
| style="text-align:left;" | Treaty in force
|4 April 2023 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Member of NATO
| {{dts|4 April 2023}} |
File:President Biden signing the Instruments of Ratification to approve Finland & Sweden's membership in NATO.jpg|President Biden signing the Instruments of Ratification to approve Finland and Sweden's membership in NATO on 9 August 2022
File:Secretary Blinken Deposits the U.S. Instruments of Ratification (52294464683).jpg|US Secretary of State Antony Blinken deposits the US Instruments of Ratification with the Depositary for the North Atlantic Treaty in August 2022.
File:Tasavallan presidentin esittely 23.3.2023 (52765999971).jpg|President Niinistö signed and confirmed the laws regarding Finland's NATO membership approved by the Finnish parliament on 23 March 2023.
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="white-space:wrap; line-height:1.33"
|+Finnish actions in NATO accession |
| scope="col"| Signatory
!scope="col"| Date !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Institution !scope="col" class="unsortable" | File:Symbol thumbs up.svg !scope="col" class="unsortable" | File:Symbol thumbs down.svg !scope="col" class="unsortable" | AB !scope="col"| Deposited |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan=3 |{{flag|Finland}}
| style="text-align:center; " | {{dts|17 May 2022}} | style="" | Parliament | style="text-align:center; " | 188 | style="text-align:center; " | 8 | style="text-align:center; " | 3 | style="text-align:center; " rowspan=3 | {{dts|4 April 2023}} |
| style="text-align:center; " | {{dts|1 March 2023}}
| style="" | Parliament | style="text-align:center; " | 184 | style="text-align:center; " | 7 | style="text-align:center; " | 8 |
| style="text-align:center; " | {{dts|23 March 2023}}
| style="" | Presidential assent | style="text-align:center; " colspan="3" | Granted |
Notes
{{Notelist|close}}
=2023–present: Finnish membership in NATO=
Finland became an official member of the alliance on 4 April 2023, exactly 74 years after the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty which established NATO.{{cite news|last1=Kirby|first1=Paul|last2=Beale|first2=Jonathan|date=4 April 2023|title=Nato's border with Russia doubles as Finland joins|website=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65173043 |access-date=4 April 2023 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404150315/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65173043 |url-status=live}} The flag of Finland was raised simultaneously at NATO headquarters in Brussels, at SHAPE in Mons, and at the JFC-NF headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, while the Finnish national anthem was played.{{Cite web|title=Watch: Finland officially joins NATO {{!}} CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/04/04/finland-joins-nato-flag-raising-ceremony-ctw-intl-contd-vpx.cnn |url-status=live |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=CNN |date=4 April 2023 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405020027/https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/04/04/finland-joins-nato-flag-raising-ceremony-ctw-intl-contd-vpx.cnn }} Reacting to Finland's accession, Russia said it would increase its forces along the Finland–Russia border if NATO sends troops to Finland.{{cite news|last=John|first=Tara|date=4 April 2023|title=Finland joins NATO, doubling military alliance's border with Russia in a blow for Putin|website=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/04/europe/finland-joins-nato-intl/index.html |access-date=4 April 2023 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404200620/https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/04/europe/finland-joins-nato-intl/index.html |url-status=live}} Stoltenberg said there would be no NATO troops stationed in Finland without the consent of the Finnish government.
{{wikinews|Finland becomes member of NATO}}
The formal ceremony for Finland's accession to NATO was immediately followed by Foreign Minister of Finland Pekka Haavisto submitting Finland's ratification of Sweden's accession to the organization.{{Cite web |last=Kirby |first=Paul |date=2023-04-04 |title=Nato's border with Russia doubles as Finland joins |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65173043 |accessdate=2023-04-04 |publisher=BBC |language=en-UK |agency=BBC News |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406020441/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65173043 |url-status=live }}
On 1 March 2024, Alexander Stubb, a staunch supporter of NATO, was sworn in as Finland's new president.{{cite web |title=Finland's New President Alexander Stubb Says the Nordic Country Enters 'A New Era' as a NATO Member |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2024-03-01/finlands-new-president-alexander-stubb-says-the-nordic-country-enters-a-new-era-as-a-nato-member |website=usnews.com |access-date=5 March 2024}} On 7 March 2024, Stubb made his first foreign trip as Finland's new president to NATO's Nordic Response military exercise in northern Norway.{{cite news |title=Stubb: Nato exercises are a message to Russia |url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20078006 |work=Yle |date=7 March 2024 |language=en}} On 7 March 2024, neighbouring Sweden finally became a member of NATO.{{cite web |title=Sweden officially joins NATO |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_223446.htm |website=NATO |language=en}}
In July 2024, President Stubb approved Defence Cooperation Agreement between Finland and the United States (DCA).{{cite web |title=President of the Republic approves Defence Cooperation Agreement between Finland and the United States |url=https://um.fi/press-releases/-/asset_publisher/ued5t2wDmr1C/content/tasavallan-presidentti-hyvaksyi-suomen-ja-yhdysvaltojen-valisen-puolustusyhteistyosopimuksen/35732 |website=um.fi |access-date=7 July 2024}}
In September 2024, it was announced that Finland would host two NATO headquarters. Mikkeli is expected to be announced as the headquarters for the Northern European land command unit while the multinational forward land force (FLF) will be based in either Rovaniemi or Sodankylä in Finnish Lapland.{{cite news |title=Defence Minister: Mikkeli will host Finland's first Nato HQ |url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20114431 |work=News |date=27 September 2024 |language=en}}
File:Secretary Blinken Exchanges Instruments of Ratification With Finland at NATO Headquarters (52808666863).jpg|US Secretary of State Blinken exchanges instruments of ratification with Finland at NATO Headquarters. At the same time all NATO Articles entered into force in Finland
File:NATO välisministrite kohtumine 04.04-05.04.2023.jpg|The flag of Finland is raised at NATO headquarters in Brussels on 4 April 2023.
File:The Foreign Secretary Attends NATO FM's Meeting in Brussels (52792847566).jpg|The Finnish flag flying alongside the flags of other NATO members at NATO headquarters.
File:Flags of Finland and NATO.jpg|Finnish and NATO flags flying at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland on the day of accession, 4 April 2023
Finland's foreign relations with other NATO member states
{{columns-list | colwidth=12em |
- {{flagicon|Albania}} Albania
- {{flagicon|Belgium}} Belgium
- {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Bulgaria
- {{flagicon|Canada}} Canada
- {{flagicon|Croatia}} Croatia
- {{flagicon|Czech Republic}} Czech Republic
- {{flagicon|Denmark}} Denmark
- {{flagicon|Estonia}} Estonia
- {{flagicon|France}} France
- {{flagicon|Germany}} Germany
- {{flagicon|Greece}} Greece
- {{flagicon|Hungary}} Hungary
- {{flagicon|Iceland}} Iceland
- {{flagicon|Italy}} Italy
- {{flagicon|Latvia}} Latvia
- {{flagicon|Lithuania}} Lithuania
- {{flagicon|Luxembourg}} Luxembourg
- {{flagicon|Montenegro}} Montenegro
- {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Netherlands
- {{flagicon|North Macedonia}} North Macedonia
- {{flagicon|Norway}} Norway
- {{flagicon|Poland}} Poland
- {{flagicon|Portugal}} Portugal
- {{flagicon|Romania}} Romania
- {{flagicon|Slovakia}} Slovakia
- {{flagicon|Slovenia}} Slovenia
- {{flagicon|Spain}} Spain
- {{flagicon|Sweden}} Sweden
- {{flagicon|Turkey}} Turkey
- {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom
- {{flagicon|United States}} United States
}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{cite book|last1=Grenfell|first1=Julian|last2=Jopling|first2=Thomas Michael |author-link1=Julian Grenfell, 3rd Baron Grenfell |author-link2=Michael Jopling, Baron Jopling|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=luPEikc7-0oC&pg=PA13|title=FRONTEX: the EU external borders agency, 9th report of session 2007–08|publisher=House of Lords Stationery Office|year=2008|isbn=978-0-10-401232-1}}
- {{cite report|url=https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN978-952-383-811-6|title=Government report on changes in the security environment|isbn=978-952-383-811-6|issn=2490-0966|author=Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland)|date=13 April 2022 |access-date=13 April 2022|ref={{harvid|MoFA|2022}} }}
External links
{{Wikinews|Finland becomes member of NATO}}
- [https://finlandabroad.fi/web/nato/frontpage Official website of Finland's mission to NATO]
- [https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49594.htm Relations with Finland]—NATO website
{{Foreign relations of Finland}}
{{Finland topics}}
{{NATO relations}}
{{Enlargement of NATO}}
{{Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Finland-NATO relations}}