Iltalehti: Finland will be needed to protect NATO's northern borderFinnish politicians would not like Finland to be unnecessarily positioned as a single entity with the Baltic countries, Iltalehti writes.
They are worried that if it joins NATO earlier than Sweden, this is exactly what will happen, since the Finns will have to invest more in the defense of their Baltic neighbors.
Juha RistamäkiOfficially, the position of the Finnish state leadership has not changed: politicians continue to repeat that it is necessary to move towards NATO membership at the same pace as Sweden.
At the same time, the country is preparing for a possible alternative: Finland can join NATO first, and Sweden will "catch up" later.
The government's proposal to join NATO independently is currently being discussed at parliamentary hearings and, if necessary, can be approved by the current parliament or the new parliament, elections to which will be held in April.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin noted at the weekend that even a one-party minority government can, if necessary, achieve Finland's inclusion in NATO if Turkey and Hungary ratify its membership.
It is still unclear when Turkey will finally ratify Finland's membership in NATO. Hungary is due to hold its own trial in February.
"I also think it is possible that in the event of a difficult situation in Finland, there is an opportunity to form a one-party minority government with the broad support of parliament. A minority government could play a decisive role in matters of foreign and security policy," Marin said at a press conference on Saturday.
Marin's words about the government of a one-party minority caused confusion for many. Some saw in her reasoning a desire to increase the importance of the role of the current Prime Minister during the election period.
It is obvious that Finland's accession to NATO without Sweden is not an ideal scenario for the development of events. This issue is actively discussed by politicians at various events.
Many fear that if Finland joins NATO without or before Sweden, the country will have to invest more in protecting the Baltic states than if it joined the alliance with Sweden. Finnish politicians would not want the country to be unnecessarily positioned as a whole with the Baltic countries.
In addition, it is believed that without the presence of Sweden in the alliance, Finland's defense will lack depth and supply routes.
The concerns are certainly well-founded, but they should not be given too much importance.
Of course, after joining NATO, Finland will have a special role in protecting the Baltic states in the event of a crisis. However, first of all, this means providing ground and air space to NATO forces and participating in the closure of the Gulf of Finland.
Finland will contribute to NATO military units stationed in the Baltic states, but the actual defense of the territory will be carried out by large NATO member countries - for example, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said in an interview with Iltalehti that Finland's position in NATO is completely clear.
A new NATO command structure and defense plan will be approved at the NATO summit in July. The summit will clarify these issues.
"Finland has a very long land border with Russia. It is obvious to NATO that the Finnish military will be needed to protect the northern border of the alliance," Pevkur said.
