behind Finland’s official entry into NATO on Tuesday, reactions from world leaders are coming. Here are some of the most important:
Joe Biden, President of the United States: “74 years ago today — when the United States and 11 other nations formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization — President Truman said: ‘If there is anything inevitable about the future, it is the will of the people of the world. Freedom and peace,'” Biden wrote in a statement. “Today, at NATO With the addition of Finland, that will is stronger than ever.”
He said he “looks forward” to welcoming Sweden to NATO “soon”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr ZelenskyHe congratulated Finland and its President Sauli Niinistö Tweet. “NATO has become the only effective security guarantee in the region amid Russian aggression. #NATO summit “Vilnius will bring Ukraine closer to our Euro-Atlantic goal,” he added.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: “Finland welcomes to NATO,” he tweeted.
Welcome, Finland @born.
This is a historic day for you and our alliance. This is a step to keep each of us safe.
All NATO members must now take the necessary steps to allow Sweden, so we stand together to protect freedom in Europe and around the world. https://t.co/WmxeS3O3nk
—Rishi Sunak (@Rishi Sunak) April 4, 2023
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: Russian President Vladimir Putin has “failed” in trying to “slam the door on NATO” amid his invasion of Ukraine, the head of the US-led military alliance said. “President Putin wanted to close the door on NATO. Today we show the world that he has failed, that aggression and intimidation do not work. Instead of less NATO, he has achieved the opposite – more NATO – and our door remains firmly open.” Stoltenberg made the announcement at a press conference in Brussels alongside Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.
Finland now has “the strongest friends and allies in the world,” Stoltenberg declared.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz: “This is good news and a win for transatlantic security”, He tweeted that. “With #Finland, our security alliance gains a strong friend.” Scholz also welcomed Sweden’s bid to join the military alliance. “We have our full support for Sweden’s pending accession!”
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Blenkovic: “Congratulations and a warm welcome to Finland as a new NATO ally! This is a historic day that strengthens our alliance. We look forward to welcoming Sweden as a new member of the alliance soon,” He tweeted that.
Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic: “Congratulations to Finland for joining the North Atlantic Alliance, it will be a great asset. This is a historic moment for Europe and its security. I hope Hungary and Turkey will recognize Sweden’s accession, and this country will soon become a member of NATO,” said Fiala. In a tweet.
EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell: “I warmly welcome #Finland’s accession to NATO. This historic step will strengthen the alliance, enhance European and transatlantic security, and help further our #EU-NATO strategic partnership”, said Reply to Niinisto.
