Finland will raise its flag at NATO headquarters starting this Tuesday, joining the alliance alongside the other 30 member nations. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that Finland’s accession advances the Washington Treaty framework and completes the ratification process after the Turkish government transmitted the accession protocol to the United States Department of State. He called it a historic week, noting that Finland would become ally number 31 and that the Nordic country would for the first time bear the Finnish flag within NATO. He described the development as a boost for both Nordic security and the alliance as a whole, as allied foreign ministers prepared for talks on Ukraine, Russia, and broader security challenges this week.
Ahead of the ministerial meeting, a brief welcome ceremony highlighted Finland as a well-trained and well-equipped military partner that will contribute to investments in modern aircraft and projections along NATO’s eastern flank. Stoltenberg warned that President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine has led to an expansion of NATO’s presence and the addition of Finland and Sweden, despite ongoing debates over Sweden’s entry due to concerns about Kurdish terrorism. He reiterated that Sweden is expected to join the alliance, aiming for a 32nd seat at the leaders’ summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, scheduled for July 10-11.
The situation in Ukraine
The ministerial gathering will begin with sessions of the Council of Ministers and the NATO-Ukraine commission. Ukraine’s foreign minister will participate to assess the evolving crisis and to discuss mechanisms that could deter future aggression once peace is possible. Officials underscored the need for lasting security arrangements that ensure Ukraine cannot be forced to concede again, and there was broad support for President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s pursuit of a just and sustainable peace plan. While some partners explored ideas proposed by China, Stoltenberg stressed that there are no indications of an imminent shift toward broader conflict and that the alliance remains focused on deterrence and unity.
One notable topic on the table is Russia’s potential deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Stoltenberg described such moves as dangerous and reckless, emphasizing that Moscow’s use of nuclear rhetoric is an attempt to intimidate and deter NATO members. There was no indication that allied headquarters expect Moscow to abandon its nuclear posture, but officials pledged close monitoring of any developments regarding weapons deployments in Belarus. The alliance reaffirmed its commitment to long-term support for Ukraine, noting that 65 billion euros in military aid have already been provided and that modern main battle tanks and armored vehicles are beginning to reach Ukrainian forces, helping to restore territory and strengthen resistance. The alliance also urged Moscow to release imprisoned journalist Evan Gershkovich and reiterated its readiness to adjust support as the situation evolves.
Facing threats from the south
Beyond Ukraine, NATO members discussed regional security challenges extending to southern Europe, emphasizing the need for sustained defense spending with a target of at least 2 percent of GDP. The members underscored that this figure should be viewed as a floor, not a ceiling, with further increases anticipated at the Vilnius summit. The discussion also covered the growing influence of Russia, China, and Iran, and how Beijing’s alleged arms transfers to Moscow are being weighed against the alliance’s collective security interests. Officials warned that cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific region — including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea — will be a factor in the broader strategic conversation, signaling that the consequences of Moscow’s actions are global in scope. The day’s discussions reflected the imperative of unity among NATO allies as global power dynamics continue to shift.