Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Caracas: The United States attacks another alleged drug-trafficking ship off the coast of Colombia in the Pacific Ocean
Palestinian official urges world to force 'Israel' to comply with ICJ ruling: AFP
Israeli media says Knesset approved bill to annex in West Bank in preliminary reading
Kremlin: As part of strategic nuclear force exercise, Cruiser Bryansk launched Sineva ballistic missile from Barents Sea.
Kremlin: Yars Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome at Kura test site in Kamchatka.
Kremlin: Strategic nuclear forces exercise took place under Putin's leadership.
Lebanese MP Imad Al-Hout, following his meeting with the Grand Mufti of the Republic: Lebanon is the last country to move toward peace and normalization [with "Israel"]
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One martyr reported in Israeli drone strike targeting motorcycle in Ain Qana.
Israeli media: Sirens sound in Nahal Oz settlement in Gaza Envelope.
Syria: Local sources report that General Security forces targeted the camp of French fighters from the 'al-Ghuraba division' in the Idlib countryside with mortar and tank shells.

Finland obtains full NATO membership

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 4 Apr 2023 17:57
4 Min Read

A ceremony was broadcasted on the NATO website on Tuesday during which Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto handed over the document on the country's accession to NATO.

  • x
  • Finnish military personnel install their national flag at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday. (AFP)
    Finnish military personnel install their national flag at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday. (AFP)

Finland has officially joined the NATO alliance, making its 31st member after nearly a year-long wait of overcoming Turkey's objections. 

A ceremony was broadcasted on the NATO website on Tuesday during which Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto handed over the document on the country's accession to NATO.

“Finland is safer and NATO is stronger with Finland as an ally” - @NATO General Secretary @jensstoltenberg

“This is the beginning of a new era in Finnish history” - Finland’s President @niinisto pic.twitter.com/kOH7gWVWnF

— Minna Ålander 🌻 (@minna_alander) April 4, 2023

As per NATO regulations, the documents on the accession of new member-states are stored in the US.

Last steps before joining #NATO.

FM @Haavisto signed Finland’s instrument of accession to NATO.
#FinlandNATO pic.twitter.com/lRqOIVRDZ1

— Finland at NATO (@FinMissionNATO) April 4, 2023

"Today Finland will become a full member of the alliance and that means that from today on Finland will participate in all NATO structures military and civilian activities and also be at the table in all NATO meetings and also have a vote … Most importantly what happens from today is that Finland will be covered by NATO … security guarantees, our Article 5, that says that an attack in one ally will be regarded as an attack on all,” Stoltenberg said during a press conference.

BREAKING:

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomes Finland to its first official summit is a NATO member state.

🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/82v2cJ2hoR

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 4, 2023

Earlier in the day, the presidential office of Finland stated that the country's ascension to NATO is unrelated to third countries.

On another note, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen said upon his arrival at today's NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels that he is certain NATO will have an active role to play in the alliance. 

"What kind of role we will have in the future — that's the next thing to discuss, but I am sure that Finland will be an active NATO member," the minister said when asked whether Finland will allow NATO troops to deploy in the country.

Related News

Russia accuses UK, EU of backing sabotage, attacks via Ukraine

SVR chief says NATO Europe preparing for war with Russia

Read more: West created 'terrorist state in the center of Europe': Duma Speaker

Finland had applied to join NATO on April 4, 2022, along with Sweden, just two months after the conflict in Ukraine broke out.

Although Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said that Finland joining NATO "would not be against anyone," the move promises to be heavily provoking for the Russian side. 

Russia sees NATO expansion as a threat, especially since over the years the Cold War-era alliance expanded eastward, putting Russian interests at risk. 

Ukraine formally applied to join NATO in September 2022, but the alliance has not taken any official steps in response.

Finland's NATO accession infringes Russia's security: Kremlin

In the same context, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Finland's accession to NATO is another aggravation of the situation, pointing out that Moscow considers the expansion of the alliance an infringement on its security.

"The Kremlin believes that this is another aggravation of the situation. The expansion of NATO is an infringement on our security and Russia's national interests," Peskov told a briefing.

The expansion of NATO forces Russia to take countermeasures to ensure its own security, the Russian diplomat underlined.

"Naturally, this forces us to take countermeasures to ensure our own security both tactically and strategically," he said.

According to Peskov, the situation with Finland's accession to NATO is fundamentally different from the problem with Ukraine, as this country has never had an anti-Russian rhetoric.

"The situation with Finland, of course, is radically different from the situation with Ukraine, because, firstly, Finland has never had anti-Russian rhetoric, and we have had no disputes with Finland. With Ukraine, the situation is the opposite and potentially much more dangerous," the Kremlin spokesperson explained.

Read more: Kiev, Western puppeteers do everything to prolong conflict: Lavrov

  • Nato
  • Finland
  • Sauli Niinisto
  • Dmitry Peskov
  • Jens Stoltenberg
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
Smoke and fire rises after 'Israel' launched airstrikes on the village of Ansar, Lebanon, October 16, 2025 (social media)

'Israel' launches two waves of brutal strikes on east, south Lebanon

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
A woman with her purchased groceries walks out from an underground market, in Beijing, Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Global brands in China face pressure from rising local rivals

  • Economy
  • 17 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Nearly half of attacks in occupied al-Quds target Armenian Christians
Politics

Nearly half of attacks in occupied al-Quds target Armenian Christians

Greece rocked by EU farm subsidy scandal as dozens arrested
Economy

Greece rocked by EU farm subsidy scandal as dozens arrested

Netherlands holds talks with China after Beijing curbs Nexperia export.
Technology

Netherlands holds talks with China after Nexperia export's curb

Trump said to demand DOJ pay him $230 million for past cases: NYT
Politics

Trump said to demand DOJ pay him $230 mln for past cases: NYT

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS