Finland joins NATO : What the end of ‘Finlandisation’ means for Russia, West : Daily Current Affairs

Date: 07/04/2023

Relevance: GS-2: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora

Key Phrases: Finlandisation, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Cold War, Baltic Sea and Europe, missile launchpads, international affairs, Russian invasion.

Context:

  • Finland, a small Nordic country that shares a 1,340-km border with Russia, recently joined the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), ending more than 70 years of military non-alignment.

Key Highlights:

  • Finland had followed a policy of neutrality between the Soviet Union and the West during the Cold War, and the concept of "Finlandisation" had been discussed as an option for Ukraine before Russia invaded it.
  • Finland and its neighbour Sweden applied for NATO membership soon after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
  • While Finland is now the 31st NATO member, Sweden's bid is being held up by Turkey and Hungary.

About NATO:

  • It is composed of 31 member countries from North America and Europe.
  • Its headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium.
  • In addition to collective defense, NATO promotes security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area through political dialogue, cooperative security, and crisis management.
  • NATO has been involved in numerous operations and missions, including peacekeeping and counterterrorism efforts.
  • Under NATO's charter, every member must defend any member that is attacked.
  • NATO was established after World War II with the express purpose of containing the Soviet Union.
  • The members of the alliance include the 12 founding countries of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.
  • Greece and Turkey joined in 1952, Germany in 1955, Spain in 1982, Czechia, Hungary and Poland in 1999, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined in 2004, Albania and Croatia in 2009, Montenegro in 2017, North Macedonia in 2020, and finally, Finland.

How can a country join NATO?

  • Expressing Interest: The country must express its interest in joining NATO to the alliance's Secretary General.
  • Meeting Criteria: The country must meet certain criteria, including having a democratic political system, a market economy, and the ability to contribute to the alliance's missions and operations.
  • Reaching out to NATO Member States: The country must reach out to NATO member states to build support for its membership.
  • Membership Action Plan: Once the country has expressed interest and meets the criteria, it may be invited to participate in a Membership Action Plan (MAP). The MAP is a process that helps prepare the country for membership and provides a framework for consultations and cooperation.
  • Invitation to Join: Finally, the country may receive an official invitation to join NATO from the alliance's member states. The decision to invite a country to join NATO must be unanimous among member states.

Key reasons behind Finland Joining NATO:

  • Russia's war against Ukraine created a security threat for Finland and its neighboring countries.
  • The invasion of Ukraine made smaller neighboring countries crave the powerful military backing that NATO offers.
  • Under NATO's charter, every member must defend any member that is attacked, which provides a sense of security for Finland.
  • Despite years of peace, Finland had maintained compulsory military service, regular disaster training, and 2% of GDP defense spending to stay prepared for an invasion.
  • Finland's decision to join NATO marks a definitive shift in Europe's post-World War II alignment and further isolates Russia.

How the move is significant for Russia?

  • Finland's decision to join NATO brings the alliance closer to Russia's borders, which is a major concern for the Russian government.
  • Russia sees the expansion of NATO as a threat to its national security and interests in the region.
  • Finland's move to join NATO also isolates Russia further, as it is now surrounded by NATO members on most of its borders.
  • Russia may feel compelled to take countermeasures, such as increasing its military presence on its western borders or ramping up its military capabilities, to counter the perceived threat from NATO and Finland's membership.
  • Russia has criticized Finland's decision to join NATO, calling it a "dangerous historical mistake" that would fray relations with Moscow and undo its status as a confidence-building presence in the Baltic Sea and Europe at large.

What should be India’s Stand?

  • India has traditionally maintained a policy of non-alignment and a commitment to maintaining friendly relations with all countries, including Russia.
  • Therefore, India's stance on the current scenario involving Finland's decision to join NATO and Russia's response should be based on the principles of maintaining regional stability and avoiding any escalation of tensions.
  • India should continue to engage in constructive dialogue with both Russia and NATO to promote regional stability and security.
  • India can also play a role in mediating between the two sides and encourage them to resolve their differences through peaceful means.
  • India should also prioritize strengthening its own defense capabilities and strategic partnerships with friendly countries in the region.
  • India's growing strategic partnership with the United States, for example, can help it play a more active role in promoting regional stability and security, while maintaining its non-aligned stance.
  • Overall, India should remain vigilant of the developments in the region, while maintaining its commitment to non-alignment and promoting peaceful and constructive dialogue between all parties involved.

Conclusion:

  • Finland's decision to join NATO after decades of non-alignment marks a significant shift in Europe's post-World War II alignment and further isolates Russia.
  • While the move enhances Finland's security, it also means losing out on significant trade and tourist revenue.
  • For NATO, the addition of Finland brings in a military trained to repel an attack from Russia and allows it to station weapons closer to Russia, while for Russia, it brings NATO closer to its doors, which it most strenuously opposes.
  • As the situation unfolds, India should continue to prioritize regional stability and constructive dialogue between all parties involved.

Source: The Indian Express

Mains Question:

Q. Discuss the significance of Finland's decision to join NATO in the context of Europe's post-World War II alignment and its impact on Russia's relations with its neighbours. (250 Words).