Online Desk/

Finland, the seventh largest country in Europe, officially joined NATO, the world’s largest military alliance. The country joined NATO on Tuesday. News – The Washington Post.

The country is the 31st member of the world’s largest military alliance. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has expressed hope that Finland’s neighboring country Sweden can join NATO in the next few months.

The Finnish flag was raised for the first time at NATO headquarters this afternoon. Türkiye is the latest country to approve Finland’s membership. The country handed over the official message to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken today.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in Brussels, “I can’t resist saying that we have Mr. Putin to thank.” Russia’s aggression has caused ‘many countries to feel that they have to do more’. They felt that they had to focus on their own defenses so as to resist possible Russian aggression in the future.

In July last year, the Western military alliance began the formal process to add Finland and Sweden to NATO. They signed a protocol to join the two countries. Through this, the two countries come closer to becoming NATO countries.

Attacks on any of the NATO countries are considered an attack on other allies. After Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO in fear of a Russian attack.

Earlier, Finland and Sweden were repeatedly warned by Russia about joining NATO. In March last year, Russia threatened Finland and Sweden with serious military and political consequences if they joined NATO.

Moscow said it would strengthen its defenses in the region if Sweden and Finland join NATO. As part of this, Moscow has also warned that nuclear weapons will be deployed on the border between the two countries.