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Added on the 04/04/2023 13:26:20 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
Finland's flag flies high for the first time at NATO headquarters, as the country officially joined the US-led defence alliance in a historic realignment of Europe's defences that drew an angry warning of "countermeasures" from the Kremlin. Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine last year upended Europe's security landscape and prompted Finland -- and its neighbour Sweden -- to drop decades of military non-alignment. IMAGES
Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson says the "northern flank of NATO is more complete" as he holds a press conference with his Norwegian and Finnish counterparts in Troms, Norway. Swedish troops are taking part in a vast NATO military exercise to simulate repelling an invasion of neighbouring Norway. SOUNDBITE
NATO foreign ministers meet in Brussels the day after Finland officially joined the Atlantic Alliance, becoming its 31st member, in a historic realignment of Europe's defences spurred by Russia's war on Ukraine. IMAGES
The NATO flag flies in front of Finland's foreign ministry in Helsinki, as the country becomes becomes the 31st member of the US-led alliance. Last year, the Kremlin's all-out invasion of Ukraine upended Europe's security landscape and prompted Finland to drop decades of non-alignment. IMAGES
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto signs Finland's NATO application letter in the Government Palace in Helsinki. The country will submit their bid to join the military alliance together with Sweden on Wednesday. IMAGES