Ambassador: Finland joined NATO after Russia's 2022 invasion; public support surged almost overnight
March 13, 2026 | Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Senate Committees, U.S. Senate, Legislative, Federal
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Ambassador Lena Kaissa Makela told a U.S. senator that Finland's decision to join NATO came after a rapid shift in public opinion following Russia's Feb. 24, 2022 attack on Ukraine.
"If you have the possibility to be member of a strong defense alliance, you better use it," Makela said, recounting that public support for NATO rose from about 25% to "75, 80, and 85" within days of the invasion. She said Finland joined NATO three years ago and seeks to contribute preparedness and resilience to the alliance rather than only receive security guarantees.
Makela also reviewed Finland's 20th-century history to explain foreign-policy thinking: part of Sweden until 1809, part of the Russian Empire until 1917, and engaged in the Winter War and the Continuation War around World War II, experiences she described as shaping Finland's cautious approach to security and alliances.
She noted that, as a result of the war in Ukraine and methods by Russia, Finland closed its eastern border, a step that has reduced Russian tourism and remained in place for roughly two years. "This is the price we had to pay because of what's going on in Europe," she said.
Makela framed Finland's NATO membership as a defensive, pragmatic move driven by a sudden change in public sentiment after Russia's actions, and stressed the country seeks to be a contributing member of the alliance.
"If you have the possibility to be member of a strong defense alliance, you better use it," Makela said, recounting that public support for NATO rose from about 25% to "75, 80, and 85" within days of the invasion. She said Finland joined NATO three years ago and seeks to contribute preparedness and resilience to the alliance rather than only receive security guarantees.
Makela also reviewed Finland's 20th-century history to explain foreign-policy thinking: part of Sweden until 1809, part of the Russian Empire until 1917, and engaged in the Winter War and the Continuation War around World War II, experiences she described as shaping Finland's cautious approach to security and alliances.
She noted that, as a result of the war in Ukraine and methods by Russia, Finland closed its eastern border, a step that has reduced Russian tourism and remained in place for roughly two years. "This is the price we had to pay because of what's going on in Europe," she said.
Makela framed Finland's NATO membership as a defensive, pragmatic move driven by a sudden change in public sentiment after Russia's actions, and stressed the country seeks to be a contributing member of the alliance.
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