The Finnish parliament has approved a Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with the United States, granting access to 15 military sites, broadcaster Yle reported on Monday.
The Finnish Parliament has unanimously approved the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Finland and the United States.
According to the agreement, Finland will provide the US access to 15 military facilities. It also allows for the pre-positioning of defense equipment and supplies in Finland, the entry and movement of US aircraft, ships and vehicles, and the provision of protection, security and safeguarding of US forces, as well as the sites and areas they use.
Finland joined the North Atlantic Alliance on April 4, 2023.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in an interview with Dmitry Kiselev the general director of the Rossiya Segodnya media group, Sputnik’s parent company, that Sweden and Finland’s incorporation into NAT was meaningless for their national interests.
He added that Finland’s accession to the alliance would only mean Russia deploying more troops and strike systems near the Finnish border.
In recent years, Russia has noted unprecedented NATO activity near its western borders. NATO describes those manoeuvres as «deterrence of Russian aggression.»
Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern about the alliance’s build-up in Europe. The Kremlin has stressed that Russia poses no threat to any nation but will not ignore actions that could potentially endanger its interests.