Finland's people now strongly back joining NATO

[Boats]

Finland's people now strongly back joining NATO, poll says, a massive political shift that would enrage Russia
By: Sinead Baker - Insider News - 03-23-22
Re: https://www.businessinsider.com/finl...-survey-2022-3

* A majority of people in Finland now support the country joining NATO, a new poll found.

* The surge followed Ukraine being invaded by Russia, with which Finland also shares a border.

* Russia pre-emptively warned of "serious military and political consequences" if Finland joins NATO.

A survey of people in Finland found that a majority wanted the country to join NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The survey by the Finnish Business and Policy Forum (Eva) think tank found that 60% of people supported Finland joining, a massive jump from previous years. Eva polled 2,074 people between March 4 and March 15.

At the time of the last Eva survey in 2021, most Finns seemed to support that position, with only 34% backing NATO membership.

But Russia's invasion of Ukraine, another non-NATO country, prompted a huge change, almost doubling support for NATO membership.

Ilkka Haavisto, the research manager for Eva, said of the results that "Russia has shown that it does not respect the integrity of its neighbours."

"The war in Ukraine has concretely shown what the horrors of a defensive war on Finland's own territory would be and made it clear that NATO countries cannot use their military forces to help defend a non-aligned country."

Russia has threatened Finland should it decide to pursue membership.

A foreign ministry official warned earlier this month of "serious military and political consequences" if Finland or its neighbor Sweden tried to join.

Russian President Vladimir Putin used the possibility of NATO expanding further eastwards as a reason for his invasion of Ukraine. He framed the invasion as being an act of self defense against the alliance's growth.

Finland's president Sauli Niinisto said on Sunday that applying for Nato membership would come with the "major risk" of escalation in Europe, but he said the country does wants to find ways to improve its security situation.

Sanna Marin, Finland's prime minister, said earlier this month that the country's politicians would have a conversation about NATO membership: "We're moving quickly, although these discussions will be thorough."

Note: Russia officials warn Finland and Sweden of 'serious military and political'
and political' retalilation if they join NATO.
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Personal note: It seem's Ukraine's situation is rubbing off on other none the
NATO member nations - and it also seems Russia's threats would apply if
they did. Nations don't want war nor do they want to be threatened by
their neighbor nations such as Russia.
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Russia - China and North Korea will find themselves having great difficulty
in the future - because of their ongoing actions around the globe.
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Isolation from these NATO principles only makes it more difficult for their
countries welfare from any neighbor aggressors. The world can not tolerate
another Ukraine incident - as the blood shed of the innocents is un-acceptable
and intolerable.
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The slaughter of the old and the young and the destruction of their homelands
is haneous and inhumane.
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All I can say is "Welcome Aboard" - we've got your back - if need be.
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Finland & other(s) shares a long border with Russia, and was once part of the
Russian Empire. After it gained independence it was invaded by the Soviet Union
in 1939 - but they fought back and was not defeated.

Finland has for decades maintained a careful balance between Russia and
Western countries, and avoided NATO membership. THIS HAS TO CHANGE.
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To have World Peace - we may still see at times insurrections - they can be better
controlled by NATO World Nation unities - against these aggressors. With less
carnige and loss of lives.
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The days of a countries having dictators - must be removed - in order to remain
profitable and safe environment within your countries & neighbors.