NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, welcoming the country with its entry into the North Atlantic Alliance, said that it was the Russian full-scale aggression last year that became the motivation for the country to join the Alliance. It is reported by Ukrinform.

" Today we congratulate Finland as the 31st member of our Alliance. This will make Finland more secure and NATO stronger. On the same day in 1949, the Washington Treaty, NATO's basic treaty, was signed. So it's hard to imagine a better way." in order to celebrate our anniversary than the accession of Finland, which becomes a full member of the Alliance,” the head of the Alliance emphasized.

Commenting on Russia's statement about the buildup of troops on the border with Finland, the NATO Secretary General noted that such a reaction is a manifestation of a long-term trend in Russian policy.

" This happened for many years on the Kola Peninsula and in the Arctic.. We have also seen that President Putin has a desire to use military force against his neighbors." : Georgia in 2008, then Crimea in 2014 and a full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year. It's part of a trend in behavior. That is why we are strengthening NATO, its presence and readiness in the eastern part of the Alliance, why NATO allies are investing in the development of modern capabilities,"

At the same time, Stoltenberg recalled that it was Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year that was the reason for the decision of Finland and Sweden to join the Alliance..

" He achieved exactly the opposite results: more NATO troops, their greater readiness, greater presence on land, at sea and in the air..

He received more NATO members "

He added that the Alliance will increase its presence in the north, will conduct joint exercises and take measures to ensure Sweden has the status of an invited country..

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Earlier media reported that centre-left Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin admitted defeat in the parliamentary elections in the Scandinavian country.. Opposition rights National Coalition Party (NCP) wins in close battle.