Blow for Putin as Finland says: we're joining Nato

Minister: Putin miscalculated appallingly

- Nicholas Cecil

FINLAND took a landmark decision today to join Nato in a further sign of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine backfiring spectacularly.

The Russian president ordered his troops into Ukraine amid claims it could join Nato and pose a risk to Russia. But his invasion has sparked a major shake-up of Europe's security architecture, with Finland now moving to join Nato, and Sweden expected to follow suit.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and prime minister Sanna Marin said in a joint statement that their country should submit an application to join the military alliance.

"Finland must apply for Nato membership without delay," they stressed. They hoped a decision could be taken “rapidly within the next few days" to formally apply.

Finland, which shares an 810-mile border and a difficult past with Russia, has previously remained outside Nato to maintain friendly relations with its eastern neighbour.

The announcement came a day after Boris Johnson visited Finland and Sweden to sign new security pacts with them. After talks with Mr Niinisto yesterday in Helsinki, Mr Johnson said British troops could enter Finland if it was attacked, which was seen as a precursor to it being included under Nato's article five agreement granting collective defence.