President of Finland Sauli Niinistö suggests the country should join NATO|The Russian Presidential Press and Information Office|CC BY 4.0
Russia warned Finland on Thursday that the country would face consequences if it proceeds to join NATO. Finland shares an 810-mile border with Russia.
The additional NATO alliance would be a huge blow for Russia.
Sweden to follow suit
It is also widely expected that Sweden would follow suit if Finland applies for NATO membership. Sweden and Finland joining NATO would be a significant move as both countries traditionally think of themselves as militarily ‘nonaligned’.
Finland and Sweden maintained a level of neutrality during the Cold War. Abandoning neutrality would be one of the most significant shifts in European security in decades.
Finland President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin expressed their determination to join NATO and said, "NATO membership would strengthen Finland’s security. As a member of NATO, Finland would strengthen the entire defense alliance."
Ukraine claims to have damaged a Russian ship
Ukraine troops said they damaged a Russian navy logistics ship in the Black Sea, which now acts as a renewed fighting ground for the armies.
The damaged Russian vessel, the Vsevolod Bobrov was stationed close to Ukraine’s sea border when the attack took place.
This move is similar to last month's attack by Ukraine when the troops sank Russia’s Black Sea flagship, the Moskva.
