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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Germany and France to meet on NATO and trade issues. As VOA’s Cindy Saine reports, Finland has stated that it wants to join NATO because of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Russia has warned it will respond to the move, which it calls hostile.
As Russian forces continue to kill civilians in Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with NATO allies in Berlin on Sunday, before visiting Paris on Monday.
The NATO summit in Berlin is likely to focus on confirming Finland’s leaders’ desire to join NATO without delay, due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Sweden is also considering making a similar decision.
“I think there is no question mark, as you have seen from the various statements of NATO leaders, that there will be widespread support from NATO member states for Finland and Sweden.”said Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that he opposes the two Scandinavian countries’ membership in NATO, accusing them of harboring Kurdish militants.
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said he hoped to have the opportunity to discuss the issue in Berlin on Sunday with his Turkish counterpart.
The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that Finland or Sweden’s membership in NATO would be seen as a threat to its security and that it would respond.
Experts tell VOA that Finland’s membership in NATO will change the order of security in Europe, for both NATO and Russia.
“It is a long border line and will bring NATO very close to St. Petersburg. At the same time, it will give NATO more territory to defend near the Russian border. These are big steps and changes “says Michael Kimmage, of the German Marshall Fund.
Secretary Blinken enjoys popularity in Germany and is expected to encourage Berlin to secede from Russian energy and offer more heavy weapons to Ukraine.
“The American side can influence Germany to secede from Russian gas and oil. It will not happen immediately, but gradually. “says Mr. Kimmage.
Secretary Blinken’s visit to Paris on Monday will be the first since the re-election of French President Emmanuel Macron, a development perceived as vital to transatlantic unity in support of Ukraine.
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