Close neighbour to Russia, Finland is considering joining NATO
CTV
Finland has been neutral for decades, but growing talk of joining NATO has angered the neighbouring country of Russia, which has promised 'political and military consequences.'
Moscow warned this weekend of “political and military consequences” if Finland signs on to the military pact, while Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said Russian President Vladimir Putin has dropped his mask and shown the cold face of war.
“I hope that during this meeting and discussion we can strengthen relationship,” Niinisto said during a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on March 4 to discuss ongoing defence and sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Fear of invasion in Finland has powered a dramatic surge in favour of NATO membership among the populace.
Two citizens who spoke to CTV News said they had collected 50,000 signatures requesting for the option to be considered, meaning that the government will have to debate the issue.
