BERLIN, March 16 (Reuters) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz mentioned on Wednesday he welcomed any curiosity proven by Finland in becoming a member of NATO, a query that has gained extra urgency since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The battle in Ukraine has prompted a public debate in impartial Finland, which shares an extended land border with Russia, on whether or not to hitch the U.S.-led NATO alliance.
Requested at a information convention with the Finnish prime minister whether or not Germany would assist Finland if it determined it wished to hitch the defence alliance, Scholz mentioned there was already cooperation between Finland and NATO.
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“The needs that Finland brings to us and the alliances that we’re concerned in are at all times very welcome,” mentioned Scholz, including nothing extra concrete.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin mentioned her nation was reviewing the matter, a transfer introduced earlier this month. learn extra
“It’s potential that Finland will look to hitch NATO,” mentioned Marin.
She urged Germany and different international locations to cease financing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s battle by ending the acquisition of fossil fuels from there.
“That has to cease… I’m positive that Germany and different member states of the European Union are looking for different methods,” she mentioned.
Scholz, who repeated his name for Putin to finish the battle in Ukraine and pull out Russian troops, reiterated that Germany was taking a look at lowering its dependency on Russian oil and fuel.
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Reporting by Andreas Rinke
Writing by Madeline Chambers
Modifying by Jonathan Oatis
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.