Ex-Prime Minister Sanna Marin has revealed in her memoir that she became a proponent of NATO in January 2021, a shift that came during an EU summit where she observed Finland being sidelined in discussions as a non-member. Concerned about the evolving situation in Russia, including the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the increasing oppression of civil society, Marin recognized the necessity of reevaluating Finland’s security stance.
Marin sought advice from Jari Luoto, an official with a long-standing pro-NATO view, who had previously assisted former Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen. During their meeting, Marin expressed her intention to gradually initiate discussions within her party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), regarding NATO membership, initially shifting their perception from strongly negative to neutral, with hopes of a positive decision in the future.
Despite her internal transformation, Marin publicly maintained a stance against NATO membership, asserting on Twitter just before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine that Finland would not seek to join NATO during her tenure. This inconsistency did not feature in her memoir, which primarily focuses on her experiences during the NATO accession discussions.
As the war in Ukraine escalated in February 2022, the Finnish public quickly shifted to support NATO membership. Marin was taken aback by President Sauli Niinistö’s initial reluctance to fully engage in the NATO conversation, as he expressed to her that it was a matter for Parliament. This reaction momentarily left Marin speechless, considering the need for collective cooperation between the presidency and the government.
After reaching out to Niinistö and outlining the situation, the president’s attitude shifted significantly within days, leading to a series of important discussions with governmental leaders and ultimately collaborative meetings with U.S. President Joe Biden, emphasizing the significance of NATO’s open-door policy.
Marin commended President Niinistö for his pivotal role in the NATO process, attributing the successful navigation of Finland’s membership discussions to the unified efforts of the government and parliament. She expressed gratitude towards Niinistö for his collaboration during this historic chapter, highlighting the importance of Finland and Sweden advancing together in their respective NATO pursuits.
With a successful parliamentary vote on May 17, 2022, Finland submitted its NATO membership application, which was subsequently accepted, leading to Finland’s official membership on April 4, 2023. Sweden followed suit, gaining membership in March 2024, marking a significant turn in the security dynamics in Northern Europe. Marin’s reflections shed light on the complexities behind Finland’s NATO application and the collaborative spirit that drove this pivotal change in the region’s security landscape.