FINLAND’S PRIME MINISTER, SANNA MARIN, has stated that her country will decide whether or not to join NATO “soon.”

Since Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Russia, there has been a surge in support in Finland for joining the military alliance. Officials say that if Putin retaliates against their membership, the country is prepared for “all kinds of actions” from Russia. Previously, public support for Finland’s NATO membership ranged between 20 and 30 percent.

However, recent polls suggest that since the start of the Ukrainian conflict, roughly 70% of the Finnish people want their nation to join NATO.

Ms. Marin said: “The fundamental aim is to guarantee peace for Finland in the future.”

She added that Finland has participated with NATO in “many international operations in two decades”, making them well-placed to join.

Previously, Ms. Marin had expressed little interest in joining NATO, stating that Finland had no plans to join the alliance in January.

However, she stated in early April that “everything had changed” since Russia’s war on Ukraine.

This was repeated by Finland’s former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, who told AL Jazeera, “I think the decision on Finnish NATO membership was taken on February 24, at five o’clock in the morning, when Putin attacked Ukraine.”

“The basic line of thought is that if Putin can slaughter his brothers, sisters and cousins in Ukraine, he can do that in Finland and Sweden, as well.”

However, Finland may not have an easy ride because Russia is expected to reply.

During a visit to Sweden, Ms. Marin warned: “Finland should be prepared for all kinds of actions from Russia.”

Mr. Stubb added: “What we will see from the moment that we apply in mid-May, to the moment that we become NATO members, is there will be hybrid threats.

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