NATO ready to quickly welcome Finland and Sweden: Jens Stoltenberg

UN Chief Antonio Guterres has surveyed the trail of death and destruction across Ukraine. His visit also includes talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an ongoing push for peace. Meanwhile, NATO has kept the door wide open for Finland and Sweden to join the alliance, further stoking tensions with Russia. The two European countries are said to be preparing bids for membership of the military alliance.



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[mwizard]

This would be a huge blessing if they join NATO! Both are very honorable countries.

[stischer]

Both Finland and Sweden have been assured that once they sign the agreement to begin the membership to NATO, they will be protected by Article 5.

[NoSuffix]

Good people need to band together against brutal autocratic barbarians.

[trappermiller]

thank you Russia your pushing them to join nato even further!!!!

[chrisperry]

Finland and Sweden would be welcomed into NATO, hopefully on or before the 9th of May,

[terryjames]

Very few of Russia’s neighbors want anything to do with Putin or Russia. What does that tell you?

[Emraz]

Finland have been preparing for the next Russian invasion since the end of the Winter War. This is a counrty wide massive defensive programme. Just one of these preparations is having secure military control centres buried beneath over 600 feet of solid granite. They have also been preparing city size bunker complexes under ground that can house entire population centres, even the entire population of their capital. It has also been law for over 60 years that any building constructed must have its own bomb shelter built to Finlands strict guidelines. They are built to protect against conventional, chemical and nuclear attack.

There are also many more provisions they have been building for at least the last 60 years. Finland have never forgotten the Winter War and never forgot about the old enemy. Finland only has about 5.5M people yet its ready army is 280, 000 in size with 900, 000 trained reservists. They still have conscription which many EU countries dropped after the cold war. Finland is probably the most ready country in all of Europe to defend against attack. Dont worry about the Fins.

[metalhamster]

The more Putin barks, the more pressure he is feeling.

[zionen]

A bully’s biggest fear is of their victims coming together to defend themselves. Only reason anyone would be against a defensive organization is if they plan to be offensive.

[PeterSedesse]

The border between Finland and Russia is 800 km long, but almost all of it is sparsely populated with no military bases. Russia has really just 2 military bases along the border that are both barely maintained. Any type of buildup along the border would take months and would be easily spoted.

[rodeo]

That's so wonderful stolemburg your all heart..

[j.f.fisher]

Something like 3/4 of Russia's army is currently being chewed up in Ukraine. Finland or Sweden could crush the rest.

[ronaldlindeman]

So Russia is across 11 time zones and that is not enough. Look at all the countries of the world and if all of them wanted to increase their country by war conquest, it would be a very busy world. Try to make your country better by helping the people living there, build houses, medical care, and recreation, not military conquest.

[phvaessen]

Sweden and Finland are part of the EU, and the EU has some form of way to protect their members too.

[ddpsf]

Rosie has the coolest accent. The mix of low country continental and Glasgow is quite striking.

[xamooham]

Is very good move for NATO, Finland and Sweden chance to alive is only joining NATO or being invasion by Russia after Ukraine war done

[ronthered]

NATO should consider "provisional membership" in order to rapidly extend protection to a nation that is not yet a member. For example, Moldova could be offered provisional membership while negotiating its way into NATO. That would keep it safe while the politicians cross the t's and dot the i's. No doubt this would require a change to the NATO Charter. I imagine that political expedience might enable rapid modification!

[johndewey]

Putin's maniacal actions has left Finland and Sweden with very little choice. Putin's actions is devastating the Russian economy and future.

[JenGM]

Ah man what a great news this morning👏

[kazzyd]

Pity that they did not respond to Ukraine in the same way.Now they are under attack...get in there and help