Vladimir Putin has scored a major “own goal” which could scupper Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine, according to a foreign affairs expert.
Finland joining the NATO alliance is seen as a coup for the organisation, while Putin has been accused of falling asleep at the wheel as one of Russia’s key neighbours made its stance against the nation clear.
Officials believe Finland’s addition to the bloc will make a “significant” contribution to its armament, as it shares an 830-mile border with Russia.
Speaking on GB News, NATO historian Peter Caddick-Adams says the move is self-inflicted by Putin.
A Putin 'own goal' has been set out by an exper
ReutersHe said: “The Finnish accession to NATO is incredibly good news and we can only see it in terms of an own goal for Vladimir Putin.
“This wouldn’t have happened if he hasn’t have invaded Ukraine.
“Finland has a long and uneasy relationship with its big neighbour and actually, they’re an incredibly strong nation.
“All the public buildings have got air raid shelters, there’s masses of commitment to working in the reserve forces too, which most people do.
Peter Caddick-Adams has praised Finland's decision to join NATO
GB News
“They’re one of the strongest military nations that we’ve probably never heard of, and now they’re on our side.”
Assessing whether the Kremlin now feels “cornered” due to Russia’s shared border with Finland, Caddick-Adams says it could pose a strategic dilemma for Putin.
He said: “Let’s put it into context. That’s almost double the amount of border that Russia now has to face with NATO nations, which has completely extended it.
“I’d be fascinated to know what they do now because we know Russia is incredibly overstretched because of the war in Ukraine.
“They have precious little manpower, precious few trained troops and nearly all of their modern equipment is in or near Ukraine.
“They’ve got nothing to put along this Finnish border.
“There are no countermeasures they can possible take that will threaten Finland.”
Russia has blasted the move, saying Finland has betrayed its roots, and lost independence in the process.
The foreign ministry added in a statement that Russia “will have to respond with military-technical, as well as other measures to address national security threats arising from Finland joining Nato”.
Western officials said Russian forces are making “very slow” progress near Bakhmut – a key Ukrainian stronghold – despite deploying large numbers of troops.
Over the past six weeks, the progress can be “measured in metres”, they said.
A possible counter-offensive by Ukraine would depend on a number of complex factors, according to officials.
Meanwhile the UK announced £10 million for Nato’s support package for Ukraine, providing non-lethal aid such as medical equipment, rations, fuel and counter-drone equipment.