Finland, NATO, and the future of trans-Atlantic security: A conversation with Ambassador Hautala

Over a year has passed since Finland’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a historic shift in the country’s long-standing military non-alignment and in European security in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Surpassing NATO’s defense spending target at 2.4% of GDP, Finland has a highly capable military and a demonstrated commitment to strengthening military interoperability and readiness within the alliance. Meanwhile, ending the Russia-Ukraine war on acceptable terms and answering questions about Ukrainian membership in NATO and the European Union remain challenges for Europe and the United States. And European leaders are closely monitoring the upcoming U.S. elections, preparing for various outcomes that could affect European security and the course of the war in Ukraine.

On July 23, the Talbott Center for Security Strategy and Technology and the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings hosted Ambassador of Finland to the United States Mikko Hautala for a discussion on Finland’s role in NATO’s collective defense and the future of the alliance.

Online viewers submitted questions via e-mail to [email protected] or via X (formerly Twitter) @BrookingsFP using #NATO.

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