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In the days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron had an idea about how to avoid the conflict: Finlandization.

The term refers to how Finland 鈥� a nation with an 800-mile border with Russia 鈥� survived the Cold War as a democracy. Basically, it agreed to stay neutral and, in practice, allow the Soviet Union significant influence in its politics. It worked, in that Finland emerged from the Cold War as a free nation ready to take dramatic steps toward prosperity. It didn鈥檛 work in the sense that Finns don鈥檛 look back on the with affection.

For the record, neither Finns nor Ukrainians received Mr. Macron鈥檚 idea with enthusiasm. The ferocity of Ukrainians鈥� determination to remain free has inspired the world. Now, it seems, Finland is pondering its own show of defiance.听听听听听听听听听

On Wednesday, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said a decision would be made 鈥渨ithin weeks鈥� on whether to join NATO. Despite dire Russian threats against the move, , with only 12% opposing.聽

鈥淩ussia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine has given rise to concern and insecurity among citizens, but also to a will to defend and promote the values of democracy on every level of society, from daily life to politics and national defense,鈥� notes .

that Finland joining NATO would be Russian President Vladimir Putin鈥檚 鈥渨orst nightmare 鈥� apart from losing Ukraine.鈥� Another sign that those whom Russia most wants to bully are those now finding the greatest resolve.聽