Why Finland Waited Until Now to Join NATO

Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Finland announced its intention to join NATO. But why did it take until now for Finland to join the military alliance? The answer has to do with Finland’s policy of military neutrality since the end of World War II, initially pursued as a means of protecting its sovereignty and avoiding the influence of the Soviet Union.

Finland's geographic location played a significant role in this decision. It shares an 830-mile border with Russia, historically a source of conflict— as the Soviets invaded in 1939, beginning the so-called ‘Winter War’. Because of this, joining NATO was seen by many Finns as too provocative. Furthermore, Finland's military capabilities were already well developed, and it had formed strong partnerships with NATO countries, including participating in NATO-led operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

But the war in Ukraine has been a reality check for many in Finland. It showed that without a security guarantee from NATO, their country would always be at risk of invasion by a larger neighbor.

Do you think Finland made the right choice in joining NATO? Let us know in the comments.

#themilitaryshow

[Tadicuslegion]

Putin is the best salesman NATO has had since Stalin

[thadiusbarnelsnatch]

Invading Finland without nato membership was already a bad idea but invading Finland who is now a nato member is unthinkable.

[toltecsavant]

As a former US ARMY Special Forces Vet. I’ve fought along side Finland soldiers. I’m extremely happy to see them officially join us and be our brothers-in-arms.

[Han-rwev]

It's kind of tricky being neutral when you've got a neighbour that's been quite happy to gobble up your other neighbours..

And you KNOW that you're also on the menu. Like just about everybody else

[jkevinf]

You can’t trust a drunken neighbor constantly threatening you and your family, holding a grenade!

[kevinh]

The Soviets would do well to remember the bloody nose the Finns gave them in 1939.

[andybosch]

Rather than a reality check, it was probably the opportunity they had been waiting for.

Prior to the war, the Russians were seens as the primary rival to the USA, and all their neighbours were rightfully scared of them. The fear would be that if they tried to Join NATO, Russia might invade them before the process was completed. With Russia now tied up in Ukraine, and having shown their actual level of military competence, the Fins found their golden window to apply.

[australia.thegreatsouthern]

Finland stood by its people's safety and security. See, Assess, Act responsibly

[cardelelizalde]

Joining NATO is a deterrent, Russia would think 100times before invading finland

[petersouthernboy]

Yes, it’s in the very best interest of Finland 🇫🇮

[chrisgunsandguitars]

NATO signed a treaty with Russia in 1990/91 that is all about hegemony. NATO cannot add more countries and basically “box” Russian in. Adding more countries to NATO is a violation of that treaty. Ukraine joining, Finland joining, its all BS.

[followme]

Sometimes being in the middle, is being all alone; sometimes it’s better to choose sides. Good move Finland.

[HandleMyBallsYouTube]

Finn here, up until 2022 our own military was good enough of a deterrent to prevent a land invasion of Finland, after 2022, the only real guarantee however is NATO membership.

To those who might claim this is a provocation directed towards Russia: we did not join because we want war, we joined because we want peace, and this is the only way to guarantee that.

[BurgerBoy-Official-Channel]

Any country has the right to protect its sovereignty and by the amount of aggression Russia has been showing towards its neighbour’s gives Finland a reason to defend its borders

[billrice]

Finland has a badass military. "They are very good".

[stevebowman]

Yes Finland and Sweden made the correct decision.

[greggweber]

The neighborhood bully conplains when the neighbors look for someone to protect them from the bully.

[johndeer]

The Finns retain the right to leave NATO without fear of retaliation from NATO. If Finland had capitulated to Putin’s demands and displayed weakness it could have encouraged Putin’s regime to subjugate Finland. And, to throw off that yoke of Russian oppression would potentially come with great cost. Joining NATO, if only for the duration of the Putin regime in the Russian Federation, was a very wise move by Finland. Putin has nothing to offer other than forced subjugation and isolation and the aspirations of a tyrant desperately attempting to recreate an empire by extreme violence and intimidation. Putin will fall on his own sword.

[jamesbyrnes]

I've only met a few Finnish people but they made an impression. They are not to be messed with.

[fbi]

i like how Putin said that he wants to stop nato expansion but instead he did the exact opposite by letting Sweden and Finland to join nato by invading Ukraine