End of finnish neutrality and the effects of the War in Ukraine on multilateralism in Finland

End of Finnish Neutrality and the Effects of the War in Ukraine on Multilateralism in Finland This thesis examines Finland's decision to join NATO, arguing that this shift was not merely a reaction to immediate security threats but a strategic and normative realignment within the framework of liberal internationalism. While the war in Ukraine intensified Finland's security concerns, this study challenges the notion that NATO membership was solely driven by threat balancing. Instead, it demonstrates that Finland's accession was a deliberate move toward deeper institutional integration, reinforcing multilateral security frameworks and liberal governance structures. Using a qualitative case study approach, this study employs process tracing and structured comparison to analyze Finland's evolving security posture. Primary sources, including high-level speeches, parliamentary debates and government reports are examined to reveal how liberal internationalism provides the most comprehensive explanation for Finland's foreign policy transformation. Realist interpretations, while acknowledging Russia's role as a security threat, fail to account for Finland's long-term preference for institutionalized security and democratic multilateralism. Constructivist insights further illuminate the role of national identity shifts and normative commitments in Finland's decision to abandon neutrality. This study contributes to academic discussions on alliance formation, small-state security strategies, and the resilience of liberal internationalism, demonstrating that Finland's case challenges traditional realist assumptions about NATO expansion. The findings indicate that Finland's NATO membership reflects both a security imperative and a commitment to multilateralism. Rather than pursuing ad-hoc deterrence, Finland embedded itself within NATO's rule-based collective security system, ensuring strategic predictability and reinforcing its role in European security governance. This study not only highlights Finland's strategic realignment but also demonstrates how small-state foreign policies can reinforce liberal institutionalism in an era of geopolitical uncertainty Future research could explore Finland's evolving role within NATO, its post-membership foreign policy, and broader implications for non-aligned states reassessing security in an era of geopolitical uncertainty.