Finland has joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as the 31st member, and its choice should be understood through the prism of conventional deterrence. Finland’s membership to NATO is a reasonable decision that may provide extra security guarantees and aid in defending against potential Russian attack.
The Historical Background of Finland-Russia Relations
- Finland and Russia’s relationship dates back nearly 200 years and has been marked by conflict and compromise.
- Tsar Alexander I of Russia seized Finland in 1809 and proclaimed it an autonomous Grand Duchy of the Russian empire.
- Between the two world wars, the Finns felt more threatened by Russia than by Germany.
The decision of Finland to join NATO
- Finland has become the 31st NATO member, perhaps provoking Russian counter-measures.
- The decision to join NATO is considered as an autonomous option, largely prompted by the Russia-Ukraine war.
- Security guarantee: Finland’s membership to NATO is a logical choice for the alliance to provide additional security guarantees. NATO’s founding treaty, Article 5, binds the members together, committing them to protect one another and establishing a sense of solidarity inside the alliance.
Defense preparations against potential aggression
- Defence against potential aggression: Finland had been planning to defend itself against potential aggression even before joining NATO.
- Conscription in Finland has created enough resources for the army, navy, and air force to function effectively in a war situation.
What this means for India and the Arctic area
- A powerful blow to the Western coalition in the Nordic region: Finland has kept a small but capable armed force that is well-trained and resilient, and its membership in NATO gives the Western alliance a real punch in the Nordic region.
- As the Arctic ice cover melts due to global warming, the high north has become commercially appealing as well as geopolitically contested.
- India is an Arctic Council observer: India is an Arctic Council observer, which aims to promote broad cooperation in the polar north.
- The militarization of the high north appears unavoidable as Finland and Sweden transition from neutrals to Western allies and China increases its profile in the Arctic in collaboration with Russia.
- Global governance: This could make global governance of the Arctic area more difficult.
The necessity for NATO and Russia to be cautious in the future
- To avoid further escalation of hostilities, both NATO and Russia should be watchful of each other.
- The newly elected centre-right administration in Finland should engage in bilateral talks with Russia to better understand each other’s security concerns.
- At least some NATO countries should be willing to depend on diplomatic instruments and moderate the heat.
@the end
Finland’s decision to join NATO is considered as a sensible one, prompted partly by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Finland’s membership to NATO should be regarded through the perspective of conventional deterrence, since it may persuade an adversary not to launch a conflict. NATO and Russia should look for methods to reduce tensions rather than imposing sanctions and responses.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/finland-joins-nato-in-major-blow-to-russia-over-ukraine-war/article66700201.ece