Currently, 76% of the 5.5 million Finns are in favor of joining NATO, according to a survey published on Monday. Before the war in Ukraine this percentage was around 25%.
“Look in the mirror”
In Parliament, the majority of the 200 deputies is also in favor.
Finnish deputies will meet on Monday morning to study the government’s proposal and vote afterwards, House Speaker Matti Vanhanen said on television on Thursday.
“Joining NATO is not a decision that goes against anyone,” the Finnish president said Wednesday night, responding to Russian warnings on the matter.
For the head of state, who for years has opted for East-West dialogue, Russia can only blame itself for seeing its neighbor join the Alliance.
“If we join NATO my response to Russia would be: ‘You caused this, look in the mirror,'” the president said.
“Mr. Putin, one of the things you said was that you don’t want a strong NATO on your western flank. This is what you get,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said, referring to an alliance “that is gaining strength” and ” deterrence capacity.
Finland will decide to join NATO after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Democratic and Republican senators in the United States vowed on Thursday to act quickly to support Finland’s request. It is “a huge step forward for the future of transatlantic security,” Republican caucus chief Jim Risch tweeted.