NATO bases may appear on islands in the Baltic Sea. Previously, this sea was closed to the alliance.
Finland’s new government intends to revise the agreement to demilitarize the Aland Islands due to NATO membership and the war in Ukraine, Politico writes. The islands allow it to control strategically important routes in the Baltic Sea, which, as the newspaper notes, has attracted the attention of nearby powers throughout history.
Since 1856 this territory has a demilitarized status, which is confirmed by a number of agreements. However, Finland fears that Russia might attack the unprotected islands.
For the new Finnish government, headed by center-rightist Petteri Orpo, the issue of the archipelago’s status in the face of increasing Russian aggression becomes a priority in security policy, the newspaper writes.
