Vladimir Putin’s gift to NATO

Vladimir Putin hoped that invading Ukraine would fragment NATO, but the alliance has been strengthened and is now set to expand. This is a reminder that the bloc’s growth is a reaction to — not a cause of — Russian aggression.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said last week that Helsinki would decide in the coming weeks whether to apply for NATO membership. The country’s parliament is scheduled to debate it this week. Nearby Sweden also appears to be applying, with local media suggesting Stockholm could seek membership within months.