Russia Threatens “Counter-Measures” as Finland Joins NATO

The official enlargement of the Western Alliance brought about by Finland’s entrance to NATO today signifies a severe strategic loss for Vladimir Putin and adds to Russia’s military disaster in Ukraine. It’s difficult to overestimate the symbolism. Putin asserted that one of the reasons for the invasion was to prevent NATO from invading. Ukraine, meanwhile, is not a NATO member. In fact, Putin would not have dared to strike it if it had been because he feared triggering the mutual defense treaty.

Yet, his antagonism has encouraged two hitherto neutral nations — the other being Sweden — to seek membership. Finland will officially join NATO today after winning its recent general election, extending 800 miles to its border with Russia — the exact opposite of what Putin is said to have wanted.

The NATO expansion is perhaps a worse damage to the legitimacy of Russia’s leadership than the individual failure of the Russian military to destroy Ukraine, which serves as a daily reminder of the foolishness of the Kremlin’s aggressiveness. Putin must find a means to convince his people that the war’s unintended consequences — thousands of dead young men — were in any way justifiable.

When Finland expressed interest in joining NATO last year, Russia warned “a military technological reaction,” and as a full member, it can now rely on Article 5 protection. When fully mobilized, the nation’s army might total up to 280,000 troops and still enforce conscription. It is well-trained and well-equipped.

According to the Kremlin, Putin’s expansion, unification, and strengthening of NATO since the invasion of Ukraine is a geopolitical mistake of historic proportions.