Italy backs Finland and Sweden’s bid to join NATO, Premier Mario Draghi stated at a press conference with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin Wednesday: “It is an historic moment for Europe and Finland,” he said. “The request to join NATO is a clear response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the threat it poses to peace in Europe, for our collective security. “Italy supports with conviction the decision by Finland, and by Sweden (to request NATO membership)”.
Draghi went on: “Finland and Sweden already cooperate with NATO and share its founding values. “We agree on making the accession procedures faster: we must support the countries in the period of transition. Since the end of the Second World War, we have been traveling on the same path. Finland joined the UN in 1955. Relations are excellent and in the last few years we have had a gradual strengthening of ties. In 1995 Finland joined the European Union. In the last few weeks, we have shown a great unity with respect to Ukraine also in seeking a negotiated solution, and we will continue to do so.”
Prime Minister Marin stated, “We want to ensure our security and the EU’s by joining the Atlantic Alliance.” She said that the EU’s response to Russian aggression had been “strong and united, but we must do more. Finland is ready to consider new joint measures to cut Russian income from energy exports,” adding, “Finland and Sweden will give a great contribution to security. We have a strong and modern army and we already collaborate with NATO. I’m very grateful to Premier Draghi for Italy’s support. Finland will be a trustworthy partner of NATO and will contribute to global security.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has threatened to block Finland’s and Sweden’s joining of NATO, expressed the hope on Wednesday that “allies will listen to our concerns” and will “support us”. “We can’t say yes”, repeated Erdogan, adding that “supporting terrorism and asking for our support lacks coherence” by Helsinki and Stockholm. The two Nordic countries are accused by Ankara of hosting members of the PKK, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which Turkey considers a terrorist organization. New NATO members must be approved unanimously. Draghi also stated at the press conference with Marin that Italy was willing to send more arms to Ukraine if necessary, but ultimately the decision lay with the European Union.
Several parties in Draghi’s national unity coalition government are against sending more arms to Kyiv. “We want to help Ukraine to defend itself,” said the premier. “We have done so in the past and we will do so again when necessary. Europeans are all together in the defence of Ukraine, we are loyal members of the Union”. The anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) and the rightwing League party, two of the biggest groups in the Italian parliament, have led opposition to more arms shipments to Kyiv and have insisted parliament must approve any fresh shipment. M5S leader and ex-premier Giuseppe Conte has said that “Italy has sent enough weapons to Kyiv” while League leader and former interior minister Matteo Salvini has called for peace talks over more weapons, while also expressing doubts about approving the two countries’ bids to join the alliance.
