<p>Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday (March 17) that his government will start the process of ratifying Finland's North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership bid in Parliament after the country took concrete steps to keep its promises. "We have decided to start the protocol of Finland's accession to NATO in our parliament," Erdogan said following talks with his visiting Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto, the news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Erdogan added that NATO will play a role in maintaining global security, and stability by getting stronger with Finland's membership.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Finnish President Niinisto reacted to the development by saying that it was important news for all. However, he said that Finland's application was not complete without Sweden.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hungary, meanwhile, will vote on Finland's application to join the US-led intergovernmental military alliance on March 27. Taking to Twitter, Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs said, "The parliamentary vote will take place on March 27,"&nbsp;adding the ruling&nbsp;Fidesz party supported Finland's ascension.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO after Russia announced its special military operation in Ukraine in February last year. The membership requires approval from all 30 member countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Though Finland received the backing of all members, Sweden has faced objections from Turkey&nbsp;on terrorism-related issues. Earlier, Turkish President Erdogan had said that the country won’t support Sweden’s ascension bid to NATO and demanded that they extradite dozens of suspects, which it considers “terrorists", including the Kurdistan Workers' Party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Turkey's decision to ratifying Finland's membership, and said&nbsp;Sweden should also be allowed to join "as soon as possible".</p>

<p>"The most important thing is that both Finland and&nbsp;Sweden&nbsp;become full members of NATO quickly, not whether they join at exactly the same time," Stoltenberg said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Echoing the position of NATO chief, United States&nbsp;National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the government has appealed&nbsp;Hungary to finalise&nbsp;its ratification process both for Finland and Sweden&nbsp;"without delay".</p>

<p>However, Sweden expressed its disappointment over its exclusion&nbsp;from NATO expansion. "This is a development that we did not want, but that we were prepared for," said Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday (March 17) that his government will start the process of ratifying Finland's North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership bid in Parliament after the country took concrete steps to keep its promises.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday (March 17) that his government will start the process of ratifying Finland's North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership bid in Parliament after the country took concrete steps to keep its promises. "We have decided to start the protocol of Finland's accession to NATO in our parliament," Erdogan said following talks with his visiting Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto, the news agency AFP reported. Erdogan added that NATO will play a role in maintaining global security, and stability by getting stronger with Finland's membership. Finnish President Niinisto reacted to the development by saying that it was important news for all. However, he said that Finland's application was not complete without Sweden. Hungary, meanwhile, will vote on Finland's application to join the US-led intergovernmental military alliance on March 27. Taking to Twitter, Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs said, "The parliamentary vote will take place on March 27," adding the ruling Fidesz party supported Finland's ascension. Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO after Russia announced its special military operation in Ukraine in February last year. The membership requires approval from all 30 member countries. Though Finland received the backing of all members, Sweden has faced objections from Turkey on terrorism-related issues. Earlier, Turkish President Erdogan had said that the country won’t support Sweden’s ascension bid to NATO and demanded that they extradite dozens of suspects, which it considers “terrorists", including the Kurdistan Workers' Party. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Turkey's decision to ratifying Finland's membership, and said Sweden should also be allowed to join "as soon as possible". "The most important thing is that both Finland and Sweden become full members of NATO quickly, not whether they join at exactly the same time," Stoltenberg said. Echoing the position of NATO chief, United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the government has appealed Hungary to finalise its ratification process both for Finland and Sweden "without delay". However, Sweden expressed its disappointment over its exclusion from NATO expansion. "This is a development that we did not want, but that we were prepared for," said Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Turkey to start ratifying Finland's NATO membership bid; Hungary to vote on accession on March 27

<p>Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said on Wednesday (March 15) that Turkey had decided on ratifying Helsinki's NATO bid. The claim&nbsp;came after reports emerged that Ankara's parliament will "highly likely" ratify Finland's NATO accession bid before mid-April.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Niinisto will visit Istanbul this week for the final decision taken by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Finnish President said, "The Turks have hoped that I will be there to receive the answer when they announce the decision. Of course, I accepted the invitation and will go to receive his expression of intent."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We knew that when Turkish President Erdogan on his part has decided to ratify Finland's NATO membership, he wants to meet and fulfil his promise president to president," Niinisto said in an email to Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-aircraft-intercepted-by-british-raf-and-german-jets-near-estonian-airspace-572263">Russian aircraft intercepted by British RAF and German jets near Estonian airspace</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Two Turkish officials divulged further details in this matter to&nbsp;news agency Reuters on Wednesday. One senior Turkish official said that Finland's bid would be approved independently from that of Sweden.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The other official said that the way Finland&nbsp;tackles terrorist organisations, aligns with Turkey's sensitivities and that Helsinki had taken steps in that regard.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Erdogan has also hinted that Turkey could soon ratify Finland's NATO application, allowing the country to join the military alliance, but it will be separated from Sweden.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Erdogan said: "Whatever the process is, the process will function. We will do our part. We will keep our promise. We will meet with the president on Friday and fulfil the promise we made."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Former Australian PM slams Three-Nation Nuclear Submarine Deal&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>After Russia began the invasion of Ukraine last year in February, Sweden and Finland applied to join the trans-Atlantic defence pact. However, both nations faced unexpected hurdles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To join NATO, all 30 members have to ratify any membership bids. Hungary and Turkey have not given the green light to Finland and Sweden. Ankara said that Stockholm harbours members of terrorist groups, which Sweden denies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em><br />
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Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said on Wednesday (March 15) that Turkey had decided on ratifying Helsinki's NATO bid. The claim came after reports emerged that Ankara's parliament will "highly likely" ratify Finland's NATO accession bid before mid-April.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said on Wednesday (March 15) that Turkey had decided on ratifying Helsinki's NATO bid. The claim came after reports emerged that Ankara's parliament will "highly likely" ratify Finland's NATO accession bid before mid-April. Niinisto will visit Istanbul this week for the final decision taken by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Finnish President said, "The Turks have hoped that I will be there to receive the answer when they announce the decision. Of course, I accepted the invitation and will go to receive his expression of intent." "We knew that when Turkish President Erdogan on his part has decided to ratify Finland's NATO membership, he wants to meet and fulfil his promise president to president," Niinisto said in an email to Reuters. ALSO READ | Russian aircraft intercepted by British RAF and German jets near Estonian airspace Two Turkish officials divulged further details in this matter to news agency Reuters on Wednesday. One senior Turkish official said that Finland's bid would be approved independently from that of Sweden. The other official said that the way Finland tackles terrorist organisations, aligns with Turkey's sensitivities and that Helsinki had taken steps in that regard. Erdogan has also hinted that Turkey could soon ratify Finland's NATO application, allowing the country to join the military alliance, but it will be separated from Sweden. Erdogan said: "Whatever the process is, the process will function. We will do our part. We will keep our promise. We will meet with the president on Friday and fulfil the promise we made." WATCH | Former Australian PM slams Three-Nation Nuclear Submarine Deal × After Russia began the invasion of Ukraine last year in February, Sweden and Finland applied to join the trans-Atlantic defence pact. However, both nations faced unexpected hurdles. To join NATO, all 30 members have to ratify any membership bids. Hungary and Turkey have not given the green light to Finland and Sweden. Ankara said that Stockholm harbours members of terrorist groups, which Sweden denies. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Finland claims Turkey has reached decision on its NATO membership bid

<p>The Finland parliament on Wednesday (March 1) overwhelmingly gave a green light and acceleration to the bid of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The move by parliament has increased the prospects that Finland will leave its neighbour Sweden behind and become a member of the pact earlier.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The legislation was approved as lawmakers affirmed that the nation has accepted the terms of the NATO Treaty by 184 votes against seven in the 200-seat parliament. One abstained.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Finnish lawmakers have pushed for the legislation to be passed before the general elections on April 2 to avoid a political vacuum. Notably, the process of joining NATO requires ratification from all of its 30 members.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Passing the bill does not mean that Finland will automatically join NATO after ratification by Turkey and Hungary, but it puts in place a deadline for how long it can wait for its neighbour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As quoted by the news agency AFP, Tuomas Poysti, the government's chancellor of justice, said that after the bill is approved by the parliament and the president can wait a maximum of three months to sign it.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;G20 Foreign Ministers meet: New Delhi welcomes Foreign Ministers for G20 meeting&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>The development came hours after news agencies reported that Finland has started construction work on a pilot of the eastern border barrier fence it plans to build along parts of the country's border with Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is believed that the construction of the fence of approximately three kilometres started on both sides of the Imatra border crossing point with work on the terrain. The construction is expected to be completed by the end of June.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em><br />
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The Finland parliament on Wednesday (March 1) overwhelmingly gave a green light and acceleration to the bid of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The Finland parliament on Wednesday (March 1) overwhelmingly gave a green light and acceleration to the bid of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The move by parliament has increased the prospects that Finland will leave its neighbour Sweden behind and become a member of the pact earlier. The legislation was approved as lawmakers affirmed that the nation has accepted the terms of the NATO Treaty by 184 votes against seven in the 200-seat parliament. One abstained. Finnish lawmakers have pushed for the legislation to be passed before the general elections on April 2 to avoid a political vacuum. Notably, the process of joining NATO requires ratification from all of its 30 members. Passing the bill does not mean that Finland will automatically join NATO after ratification by Turkey and Hungary, but it puts in place a deadline for how long it can wait for its neighbour. As quoted by the news agency AFP, Tuomas Poysti, the government's chancellor of justice, said that after the bill is approved by the parliament and the president can wait a maximum of three months to sign it. WATCH | G20 Foreign Ministers meet: New Delhi welcomes Foreign Ministers for G20 meeting × The development came hours after news agencies reported that Finland has started construction work on a pilot of the eastern border barrier fence it plans to build along parts of the country's border with Russia. It is believed that the construction of the fence of approximately three kilometres started on both sides of the Imatra border crossing point with work on the terrain. The construction is expected to be completed by the end of June. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Finnish parliament overwhelmingly gives early greenlight to NATO entry

<p>Finland took one step closer to becoming a member of NATO as the country’s parliament kicked off a debate aimed at accelerating the bid to join the military alliance.</p>

<p>Finland lawmakers will debate a bill in this regard on Tuesday, when NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will meet with Prime Minister Sanna Marin and President Sauli Niinisto.</p>

<p>A vote on the bill will then take place on Wednesday, and is expected to sail through without much opposition, as the initial membership bid in May was backed by 188 of the 200 members in parliament.</p>

<p>Once the bill is approved by the parliament, it will be sent to the president, whose signature is required to formalise the bidding process.</p>

<p>After the president has signed the law, Finland will submit the instruments of accession to Washington.</p>

<p>Many MPs have been looking to push through the legislation for the NATO membership bid expeditiously before Finland goes into polls on April 2.</p>

<h2><strong>Finland's NATO membership: Turkiye likely to approve the country's application</strong></h2>

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<p>Finland and Sweden both applied to join the transatlantic defence alliance last year in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And NATO membership requires the support of all 30 members.</p>

<p>Though Finland received the backing of all the members, Sweden faced objections from Turkey over recent back-to-back protests in Stockholm.</p>

<p>While the first protest was led by a Kurdish group, where an effigy of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was shown hanging from its feet in Stockholm. Another protest was organised by far-right politician Rasmus Paludan, who burnt a copy of the Quran in front of the Turkish embassy.</p>

<p>Erdogan had said that Turkey won’t support Sweden’s ascension bid to NATO, and demanded that they extradite dozens of suspects, which it considers “terrorists", including the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).</p>

<p>Finland, on the other hand, was viewed favourably by Turkey, with its Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday saying, "We may separate Sweden and Finland's membership process.”</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>

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Finland took one step closer to becoming a member of NATO as the country’s parliament kicked off a debate aimed at accelerating the bid to join the military alliance.

Finland took one step closer to becoming a member of NATO as the country’s parliament kicked off a debate aimed at accelerating the bid to join the military alliance. Finland lawmakers will debate a bill in this regard on Tuesday, when NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will meet with Prime Minister Sanna Marin and President Sauli Niinisto. A vote on the bill will then take place on Wednesday, and is expected to sail through without much opposition, as the initial membership bid in May was backed by 188 of the 200 members in parliament. Once the bill is approved by the parliament, it will be sent to the president, whose signature is required to formalise the bidding process. After the president has signed the law, Finland will submit the instruments of accession to Washington. Many MPs have been looking to push through the legislation for the NATO membership bid expeditiously before Finland goes into polls on April 2. Finland's NATO membership: Turkiye likely to approve the country's application Finland and Sweden both applied to join the transatlantic defence alliance last year in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And NATO membership requires the support of all 30 members. Though Finland received the backing of all the members, Sweden faced objections from Turkey over recent back-to-back protests in Stockholm. While the first protest was led by a Kurdish group, where an effigy of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was shown hanging from its feet in Stockholm. Another protest was organised by far-right politician Rasmus Paludan, who burnt a copy of the Quran in front of the Turkish embassy. Erdogan had said that Turkey won’t support Sweden’s ascension bid to NATO, and demanded that they extradite dozens of suspects, which it considers “terrorists", including the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Finland, on the other hand, was viewed favourably by Turkey, with its Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday saying, "We may separate Sweden and Finland's membership process.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Finland inches closer to becoming NATO member while Sweden’s bid delayed by Turkey

<p>A bipartisan group of senators in the US Congress \said that Washington will not support the $20 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye&nbsp;until Ankara ratifies the NATO memberships of Sweden and Finland. Last year, after President Vladimir Putin of Russia launched 'special military operations' against Ukraine that soon shaped into a full-fledged war, Sweden and Helsinki sought to join trans-Atlantic defence pact. It soon faced resistance from Türkiye that continues till present.</p>

<h2><strong>Why </strong>Türkiye<strong> is opposing Finland, Sweden's NATO bid?</strong></h2>

<p>Ankara wants Helsinki and Stockholm&nbsp;to take a tougher line against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is considered a terror group by Türkiye and the European Union. Türkiye also wants the&nbsp;two countries to geopolitically assert against&nbsp;another group it blames for a 2016 coup attempt.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH</strong>&nbsp;|<strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sweden-awaits-turkiyes-approval-to-join-nato-550578">Sweden awaits Turkiye's approval to join NATO</a></strong></p>

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<p>The three nations reached an agreement on a way forward in Madrid last June. Last month, however, after a Danish politician in Stockholm burned a copy of the holy book Quran,&nbsp;Ankara suspended the talks.</p>

<h2><strong>Finland, Sweden's NATO bid</strong><b>:&nbsp;</b><strong>What did bipartisan group of US senators say?</strong></h2>

<p>In a letter to President Joe Biden, 29 Democratic and Republican senators said that Finland and Sweden&nbsp;were making "full and good faith efforts" to meet the conditions for NATO membership that Turkiye&nbsp;asked.</p>

<p>Ankara, however, says that Sweden needs to do more.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ&nbsp;</strong>|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmaker-strongly-objects-to-f-16-sale-to-turkiye-552499"><strong>US lawmaker strongly objects to F-16 sale to Turkiye</strong></a></p>

<p>"Once the NATO accession protocols are ratified by Turkiye, Congress can consider the sale of F-16 fighter jets. A failure to do so, however, would call into question this pending sale," the senators wrote.</p>

<p>It was the first time Congress explicitly and directly linked the F-16 sale to Turkey with the NATO accession bids of the two Nordic countries.</p>

<p>Turkiye&nbsp;has said it could approve Finland's NATO membership application ahead of Sweden's. However, leaders of Finland and Sweden&nbsp;have&nbsp;rejected this idea, saying&nbsp;that the security of the two Nordic countries is mutually dependent.</p>

<p>Of NATO's 30 members, only Turkiye&nbsp;and Hungary have yet to ratify the Nordic countries' memberships.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A bipartisan group of senators in the US Congress \said that Washington will not support the $20 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye until Ankara ratifies the NATO memberships of Sweden and Finland.

A bipartisan group of senators in the US Congress \said that Washington will not support the $20 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye until Ankara ratifies the NATO memberships of Sweden and Finland. Last year, after President Vladimir Putin of Russia launched 'special military operations' against Ukraine that soon shaped into a full-fledged war, Sweden and Helsinki sought to join trans-Atlantic defence pact. It soon faced resistance from Türkiye that continues till present. Why Türkiye is opposing Finland, Sweden's NATO bid? Ankara wants Helsinki and Stockholm to take a tougher line against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is considered a terror group by Türkiye and the European Union. Türkiye also wants the two countries to geopolitically assert against another group it blames for a 2016 coup attempt. ALSO WATCH | Sweden awaits Turkiye's approval to join NATO × The three nations reached an agreement on a way forward in Madrid last June. Last month, however, after a Danish politician in Stockholm burned a copy of the holy book Quran, Ankara suspended the talks. Finland, Sweden's NATO bid: What did bipartisan group of US senators say? In a letter to President Joe Biden, 29 Democratic and Republican senators said that Finland and Sweden were making "full and good faith efforts" to meet the conditions for NATO membership that Turkiye asked. Ankara, however, says that Sweden needs to do more. ALSO READ | US lawmaker strongly objects to F-16 sale to Turkiye "Once the NATO accession protocols are ratified by Turkiye, Congress can consider the sale of F-16 fighter jets. A failure to do so, however, would call into question this pending sale," the senators wrote. It was the first time Congress explicitly and directly linked the F-16 sale to Turkey with the NATO accession bids of the two Nordic countries. Turkiye has said it could approve Finland's NATO membership application ahead of Sweden's. However, leaders of Finland and Sweden have rejected this idea, saying that the security of the two Nordic countries is mutually dependent. Of NATO's 30 members, only Turkiye and Hungary have yet to ratify the Nordic countries' memberships. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US Congress says F-16 sale to Türkiye only if Ankara lets Finland, Sweden join NATO

<p>On Thursday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that early next year, his nation's parliament would ratify Finland and Sweden's NATO membership.</p>

<p>As per AFP, after a meeting with regional counterparts in Slovakia, Orban told reporters "As we have already informed Sweden and Finland, Hungary supports the NATO membership of these two countries. It will be on the agenda of the first session of parliament" next year.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Erdogan renews threat to block Swedish, Finnish NATO bids</strong></p>

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<p>The parliament session in question is scheduled to begin in February next year.</p>

<p>With the exception of Hungary and Turkey, the accession of Sweden and Finland has been approved by all 30 NATO members. New members require unanimous backing.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-fails-to-agree-gas-price-cap-as-members-disagree-over-proposal-537168">European Union fails to agree on gas price cap, members to deliberate again next month</a></strong></p>

<p>"Hungary will surely give its backing to their accession after the government had done, also parliament will do so," said Orban as per Reuters.</p>

<p>Despite the government's insistence that Hungary supports Sweden and Finland's NATO membership, the nation's ruling party has repeatedly put off a parliamentary vote.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-nuclear-plants-reconnect-to-electricity-grid-after-russian-strikes-537107">Day after Russian strikes, Ukrainian nuclear plants reconnect to electricity grid</a></strong></p>

<p>The necessary legislation was presented by the Hungarian government in July, but the two bills have not yet been introduced for discussion and approval in the parliament.</p>

<p>Opposition parties have accused Orban's party of stalling by refusing to put the issue to a vote in parliament, where the Fidesz party holds a two-thirds majority. The socialist party called the move "incomprehensible and unjustified" while the Momentum party condemned the government of "blackmailing" the European Union.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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On Thursday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that early next year, his nation's parliament would ratify Finland and Sweden's NATO membership. As per AFP, after a meeting with regional counterparts in Slovakia, Orban told reporters "As we have already informed Sweden and Finland, Hungary supports the NATO membership of these two countries.

On Thursday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that early next year, his nation's parliament would ratify Finland and Sweden's NATO membership. As per AFP, after a meeting with regional counterparts in Slovakia, Orban told reporters "As we have already informed Sweden and Finland, Hungary supports the NATO membership of these two countries. It will be on the agenda of the first session of parliament" next year. Watch | Erdogan renews threat to block Swedish, Finnish NATO bids The parliament session in question is scheduled to begin in February next year. With the exception of Hungary and Turkey, the accession of Sweden and Finland has been approved by all 30 NATO members. New members require unanimous backing. Also read | European Union fails to agree on gas price cap, members to deliberate again next month "Hungary will surely give its backing to their accession after the government had done, also parliament will do so," said Orban as per Reuters. Despite the government's insistence that Hungary supports Sweden and Finland's NATO membership, the nation's ruling party has repeatedly put off a parliamentary vote. Also read | Day after Russian strikes, Ukrainian nuclear plants reconnect to electricity grid The necessary legislation was presented by the Hungarian government in July, but the two bills have not yet been introduced for discussion and approval in the parliament. Opposition parties have accused Orban's party of stalling by refusing to put the issue to a vote in parliament, where the Fidesz party holds a two-thirds majority. The socialist party called the move "incomprehensible and unjustified" while the Momentum party condemned the government of "blackmailing" the European Union. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

PM Victor Orban says Hungary will back Finland and Sweden's NATO bid next year

<p>It seems that Finland is taking no chances. After bidding for NATO membership in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, the European city is leaving no stone&nbsp;unturned, quite literally, to secure itself—even going to the extent of preparing itself for an unlikely but potential nuclear apocalypse.</p>

<p>According to reports, the authorities in Finland have constructed an entire city underneath the capital Helsinki which has a playground, hockey rink, and swimming pool.</p>

<p>The underground city has over 500 underground shelters capable to house 900,000 people —a third more than the city's entire population, reports Daily Mail.</p>

<p>Photos and videos of the entire city were made available on Twitter which took no time to get viral.</p>

<p>As Finland is not protected by a military alliance, the underground city was created to protect the people of the city.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Meanwhile in Finland - Finland’s underground city <a href="https://t.co/6lYLxw1sY2">pic.twitter.com/6lYLxw1sY2</a></p>
— beatfien (@beatfien2) <a href="https://twitter.com/beatfien2/status/1514054087356125191?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>The reports of the underground city come in the wake of threats from Russian leader Vladimir Putin after Finland decided to join the US-led NATO alliance, shedding its wartime neutrality image.</p>

<p>“As a neutral country, we have always felt we need to protect ourselves - and we do,” Anna Lehtiranta, head of communications at Helsinki's city rescue department, told Mail Online.</p>

<p>“The underground shelters built in the bedrock of Finland come from our experience in the Winter War and during the Second World War. We all have relatives who suffered through those traumas,” said.</p>

<p>The underground shelter was first built during the 1960s, after which the successive governments excavated more than 9 million cubic metres of bedrock below Finland to house more people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The shelters' entry doors carefully located above ground are so thick a nuclear blast wouldn't leave a dent, officials claim.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine war: Finland announces historic NATO membership bid, ditches military non-alignment</strong></p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


It seems that Finland is taking no chances. After bidding for NATO membership in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, the European city is leaving no stone unturned, quite literally, to secure itself—even going to the extent of preparing itself for an unlikely but potential nuclear apocalypse.

It seems that Finland is taking no chances. After bidding for NATO membership in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, the European city is leaving no stone unturned, quite literally, to secure itself—even going to the extent of preparing itself for an unlikely but potential nuclear apocalypse. According to reports, the authorities in Finland have constructed an entire city underneath the capital Helsinki which has a playground, hockey rink, and swimming pool. The underground city has over 500 underground shelters capable to house 900,000 people —a third more than the city's entire population, reports Daily Mail. Photos and videos of the entire city were made available on Twitter which took no time to get viral. As Finland is not protected by a military alliance, the underground city was created to protect the people of the city. Meanwhile in Finland - Finland’s underground city pic.twitter.com/6lYLxw1sY2 — beatfien (@beatfien2) April 13, 2022 × The reports of the underground city come in the wake of threats from Russian leader Vladimir Putin after Finland decided to join the US-led NATO alliance, shedding its wartime neutrality image. “As a neutral country, we have always felt we need to protect ourselves - and we do,” Anna Lehtiranta, head of communications at Helsinki's city rescue department, told Mail Online. “The underground shelters built in the bedrock of Finland come from our experience in the Winter War and during the Second World War. We all have relatives who suffered through those traumas,” said. The underground shelter was first built during the 1960s, after which the successive governments excavated more than 9 million cubic metres of bedrock below Finland to house more people. The shelters' entry doors carefully located above ground are so thick a nuclear blast wouldn't leave a dent, officials claim. Watch | Ukraine war: Finland announces historic NATO membership bid, ditches military non-alignment (With inputs from agencies)

Catch a glimpse of underground Finland city made to avert nuclear apocalypse

<p>As Finland decided to join NATO, President Sauli Niinisto informed President Vladimir Putin in a "direct and straightforward" way.</p>

<p>Kremlin said Finland's decision to join the European military alliance was viewed by President Putin as a "mistake since there is no threat to Finland's security".</p>

<p>"Such a change in the country's political orientation can have a negative impact on Russian-Finnish relations developed over years in a spirit of good neighbourliness," Kremlin said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fallout-of-failed-ukraine-invasion-putin-sacks-top-military-commander-amid-setbacks-say-reports-478940">Also Read:&nbsp;Putin sacks top military commander amid setbacks, say reports</a></p>

<p>Earlier, Finland had said Russia suspended electricity supplies to the country. The Russian energy firm said it had decided to suspend electricity over payment issues.</p>

<p>Finland's NATO application was not welcomed by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who declared his county did not have a&nbsp;"positive opinion" over the issue.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Erdogan says Turkey is not in favour of Sweden &amp; Finland's NATO bid</strong></p>

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<p>"Scandinavian countries are like a guesthouse for terror organisations," Turkey's president alleged. The White House said it was&nbsp;"working to clarify Turkey's position" after Erdogan's comments calling "Turkey a valued NATO ally".</p>

<p>Finland and Sweden have been calling for NATO membership after Russian President Putin declared his "special military operation" against Ukraine.</p>

<p>Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, "big majority of the Turkish people are against the membership of those countries who are supporting PKK terrorist organization."</p>

<p>"But these are the issues that we need to talk of course with our NATO allies as well as these countries," Cavusoglu added.</p>

<p>Amid the reports of Finland set to join NATO, the leader of Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov signed a decree to hold a referendum to join Russia. Bibilov had lost his bid re-election bid earlier this month.</p>

<p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>

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As Finland decided to join NATO, President Sauli Niinisto informed President Vladimir Putin in a "direct and straightforward" way. Kremlin said Finland's decision to join the European military alliance was viewed by President Putin as a "mistake since there is no threat to Finland's security".

As Finland decided to join NATO, President Sauli Niinisto informed President Vladimir Putin in a "direct and straightforward" way. Kremlin said Finland's decision to join the European military alliance was viewed by President Putin as a "mistake since there is no threat to Finland's security". "Such a change in the country's political orientation can have a negative impact on Russian-Finnish relations developed over years in a spirit of good neighbourliness," Kremlin said. Also Read: Putin sacks top military commander amid setbacks, say reports Earlier, Finland had said Russia suspended electricity supplies to the country. The Russian energy firm said it had decided to suspend electricity over payment issues. Finland's NATO application was not welcomed by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who declared his county did not have a "positive opinion" over the issue. Watch: Erdogan says Turkey is not in favour of Sweden & Finland's NATO bid "Scandinavian countries are like a guesthouse for terror organisations," Turkey's president alleged. The White House said it was "working to clarify Turkey's position" after Erdogan's comments calling "Turkey a valued NATO ally". Finland and Sweden have been calling for NATO membership after Russian President Putin declared his "special military operation" against Ukraine. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, "big majority of the Turkish people are against the membership of those countries who are supporting PKK terrorist organization." "But these are the issues that we need to talk of course with our NATO allies as well as these countries," Cavusoglu added. Amid the reports of Finland set to join NATO, the leader of Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov signed a decree to hold a referendum to join Russia. Bibilov had lost his bid re-election bid earlier this month. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE ×

NATO bid: Finland's President calls Putin; Turkey ready to talk

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