Finland Prime Minister Sanna Marin said the possibility of her country joining NATO was for the security of its citizens and has called for the international community to unite in stepping up sanctions against Russia. The announcement moves the Nordic nation, which shares an 800-mile border with Russia, one step closer to membership in the U.S.-led military alliance.
“If Finland makes this historical step it is for the security of our own citizens,” Marin told a news conference after holding talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. “Joining NATO will strengthen the whole international community that stands for common values.”
On Thursday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Finland joining the alliance would not contribute to more security.
“As we have said many times before, NATO expansion does not make the world more stable and secure,” Peskov told reporters. He added that Russia’s reaction would depend on NATO activity near its borders.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.