‘A new era begins’: Finland joins Nato, doubling alliance’s border with Russia

Moscow threatens countermeasures saying: ‘History will judge this hasty step’

A historic realignment of Europe triggered by Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was cemented on Tuesday as Finland became the 31st member of Nato, dealing a major blow to Moscow.

Its accession roughly doubles the length of the border that Nato shares with Russia to 2,500km (1,600 miles), and bolsters its eastern flank as the war in Ukraine grinds on with no resolution in sight.

Finland had been neutral after its defeat by the Soviet Union in the Second World War, but Mr Putin’s February 2022 invasion led to a rapid rethink.