BERLIN (AP) — Russia’s neighbor Finland expressed its desire to join a Western military alliance, while Russia’s military advance in Ukraine has slowed and expressed hope that Kiev can win the war, a senior NATO official said on Sunday.
Senior NATO diplomats will meet in Berlin on Sunday to discuss additional support for Ukraine and the steps Finland, Sweden and others are taking to join NATO in the face of threats from Russia.
The Finnish president and government announced on Sunday that the formerly neutral Scandinavian country, which shares a long border with Russia, plans to apply for NATO membership, paving the way for the expansion of the 30-member Western military alliance.
This was announced by President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin at a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki.
“This is a historic day. A new era is beginning,” Niinistö said.
“Guesthouse for terrorist organizations” – Turkey opposes Sweden and Finland joining NATO https://t.co/MZ9Ryuj85Q
– Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) May 15, 2022
The Finnish parliament is expected to approve this decision in the coming days, but it is seen as a formality.
The official application for membership will likely be submitted to NATO Headquarters in Brussels next week.
Joana, who chaired the meeting as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recovered from the COVID-19 infection, said Ukraine’s supporters were “united, we are strong, we will continue to help Ukraine win this war.”
Outside the meeting, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, last Sunday to discuss the consequences of the war and ways to get Ukrainian grain to international markets.
“In the face of Russia’s unprovoked war, Blinken stressed the continued US commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said.
‘Russia is losing momentum’ in ‘brutal’ occupation of Ukraine: NATO https://t.co/sNRZaMAy9J
– Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) May 15, 2022
Source: Breitbart
