In a significant development, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has finally lifted his veto on Finland’s application to join NATO. The move comes after months of delay, during which Turkey’s stance had caused a significant strain in its relations with Finland and other NATO members. The Turkish president’s decision is expected to pave the way for Finland’s entry into the military alliance. Erdogan’s announcement followed a meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö in Ankara, which was carefully choreographed to signal a thaw in bilateral ties between the two countries.
However, Erdogan’s decision is likely to raise concerns in Moscow, where Russian officials have repeatedly expressed their opposition to NATO’s expansion. Russia has long viewed the military alliance’s eastward expansion as a direct threat to its national security interests. In recent years, Moscow has taken a number of steps to counter NATO’s influence in Europe, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the recent military intervention in Ukraine. The Russian government has also increased its military presence in the Baltic region, in what it says is a response to NATO’s buildup along its borders.
The expansion of NATO’s membership to include Finland, a country that shares a long border with Russia, is likely to further exacerbate tensions between Moscow and the West. Russian officials have previously warned that the country will take measures to counter any move by NATO to expand its membership closer to its borders.
In response to Erdogan’s announcement, Russian officials have yet to comment publicly on the matter. However, analysts believe that the move is likely to be viewed with suspicion in Moscow and may prompt the Kremlin to take further steps to counter NATO’s influence in the region.
Overall, the lifting of Erdogan’s veto on Finland’s NATO membership marks a significant development in the geopolitical landscape of Europe. While it is likely to be welcomed by NATO members, it is also likely to raise concerns in Moscow and may lead to further tensions between Russia and the West.
