Finland formally joined NATO, and Russia said that the situation in northern Europe has changed fundamentally.

　　Xinhua News Agency, Brussels, April 4 th Comprehensive Xinhua News Agency reporters abroad reported that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) held a ceremony for Finland to join NATO at its headquarters in Brussels on the afternoon of April 4. Finland became the 31st member of NATO.

　　On April 4th, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg spoke at the ceremony of Finland’s accession to NATO. Xinhua News Agency reporter Zheng Huansong photo

　　Earlier in the day, Finnish Foreign Minister haavisto submitted the document of Finland’s accession to NATO to US Secretary of State Blinken, the depository of NATO documents, marking Finland’s formal accession to the Treaty. Finnish President Ninisto said at the signing ceremony on the same day that Finland’s accession to NATO marked the end of the era of military non-alignment.

　　NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said at the ceremony that this is the fastest accession process in NATO history, and he also expects Sweden to join as soon as possible.

　　On April 4, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Finnish President Ninisto spoke at the ceremony of Finland’s accession to NATO. Xinhua News Agency reporter Zheng Huansong photo

　　The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the same day saying that Northern Europe was once one of the most stable regions in the world. With Finland’s accession to NATO, the situation in this region has undergone fundamental changes, and Finland’s accession to the treaty has a negative impact on Russia-Finland relations. On the same day, Russian Presidential Press Secretary peskov said that NATO’s expansion was damaging to Russia’s security and interests. Russia will take countermeasures to ensure its own security tactically and strategically.

　　The Finnish Peace Committee, a non-governmental organization, wrote in official website on the same day that armed and military alliances will not promote peace, and what is needed to achieve peace is diplomacy, peace negotiations and the resumption of agreement-based cooperation within the framework of the United Nations.

　　On April 4th, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Finnish President Ninisto (left) and NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg spoke to the media. Xinhua News Agency reporter Zheng Huansong photo

　　Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO at the same time in May 2022. In July of the same year, representatives of 30 NATO member countries signed the protocol of Finland and Sweden’s accession to the treaty. According to the rules, NATO can only recruit new members on the premise of "unanimous consent" of 30 member States. At present, Turkey and Hungary have not formally approved Sweden’s accession. (Participating in reporters: Ren Ke, Chen Jing, Huang He)