Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a fundamental change has taken place in the security and operating environment of Finland and Europe. The Government report on changes in the security environment (2022:18) assesses in detail the changes in the security environment and the effects these changes have on Finland.

The report describes the grounds for Finland’s NATO membership. In the report, the Government proposes that the President of the Republic of Finland decide, pursuant to section 93, paragraph 1 of the Constitution of Finland, that Finland will apply for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) after hearing Parliament.

By joining NATO, Finland would strengthen its own security in the changed operating environment. Through NATO membership, Finland would be part of NATO's collective defence and, thus, would be covered by the security guarantees enshrined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. As a member of NATO, Finland would participate in making decisions on security policy issues that are of key importance to Finland. As a member of NATO, Finland would strengthen the whole Alliance. Finland’s membership in NATO would also strengthen stability and security in the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe.

Neither the Constitution of Finland nor Finnish legislation limits Finland’s ability to join a military alliance. Accession would not affect the status of the Åland Islands, which is based on international treaties, and this status is not an obstacle to accession.

<a href="http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-383-811-6">13 April 2022: Government report on changes in the security environment</a>