Putin gets 'exactly the opposite' of invasion goal as Finland joins NATO

Vladimir Putin has achieved "exactly the opposite" of what he wanted by invading Ukraine, with Finland set to double NATO's border with Russia today, according to the alliance's chief.

The Russian leader wanted "less NATO along its borders" but his invasion pushed Finland to apply to the alliance - a decision previously "unthinkable" for the non-aligned country - said Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Russia has said it will strengthen its military capacity in western and northwestern regions in response, but Mr Stoltenberg said this has been the case for many years.

He said Mr Putin has shown he "is willing to use military force" against its neighbours.

"This is part of a pattern and that is exactly why we have strengthened NATO, our readiness, our presence in the eastern part of the alliance.

"It was actually the invasion of Ukraine last year that led to the decision by Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership," said Mr Stoltenberg.

"I'm glad and I'm proud to be the secretary-general that can welcome Finland as a fully fledged member of the alliance."

He continued: "You can just look at a map and understand how important Finland is for security in the Nordic and the Baltic region.