BROADCASTS.com

On 4 April 2023, Finland\u2019s Blue Cross Flag was hoisted at NATO Headquarters, marking the nation\u2019s entry into the Alliance. Finland\u2019s formal accession to NATO was the culmination of an 11-month membership path that was triggered following Russia\u2019s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. The overwhelming majority of Finns supported their nation\u2019s NATO membership, and many toasts were raised that day in early spring. Though joining the Alliance without Sweden \u2013 which was left to wait for the completion of its own accession process - put a slight damper on the festive occasion.