Via msn
"Russia has directly warned both Finland and Sweden against joining Nato, threatening military action.
Ukraine’s ambitions to join the Western alliance have been a huge touchpoint in Russia’s invasion.
“Finland and Sweden should not base their security on damaging the security of other countries and their accession to Nato can have detrimental consequences and face some military and political consequences,” foreign affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova said during a news briefing.
The Russian Foreign Ministry added on Twitter: “We regard the Finnish Government’s commitment to a military non-alignment policy as an important factor in ensuring security and stability in northern Europe.
“Finland’s accession to Nato would have serious military and political repercussions.”
Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow at London-based think-tank Chatham House, said President Putin’s aim of “reversing history and going back to Russia’s status as it was over 100 years ago also directly affects other neighbours”.
“This means Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Finland.”
Finland, like Ukraine, is not part of Nato. It is, however, part of the EU.
The EU has a mutual defence clause for any member nation that is “victim of armed aggression on its territory”.
This means if Russia were to invade Finland, it could find itself at war with all 27 EU member states, which could then engage Russian forces directly.
Why is Finland not in Nato?
Of the 27 EU members, Finland is one of just six that is not also a member of Nato.
The other five are Austria, Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and Sweden.
Finland does have relations with Nato, but up until now has believed it does not need Nato membership to remain secure.
The Russian-Finnish Winter War that took place from 1939 to 1940 created a strong belief of military prowess for Finland. Finland also makes adolescent males report for a short and intense period of military training, meaning it has a large and capable citizen military reserve.
However, Russia’s actions may be driving Finland towards Nato membership.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto has stressed: “Finland’s room to manoeuvre and freedom of choice also includes the possibility of military alignment and of applying for Nato membership, should we ourselves so decide.”
While the country’s Prime Minister, Alexander Stubb, has said “at this rate, we have no other option but to join”.
A recent public poll has suggested the majority of the population also now supports Nato membership. "