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Finland and Sweden are expected to find out in the coming days whether or not they will seek membership in the NATO military alliance. Russia’s war in Ukraine has sparked an urgent review of the decision in both countries.
The decision in favor of membership would be a historic development for each country: Sweden has avoided military alliances for more than 200 years, while Finland adopted neutrality after being defeated by the Soviet Union in World War II.
Along with the Ukrainian resistance and Western sanctions, if any country decides to join, this would be one of the most significant ways in which the invasion seems to have resulted against Russian President Vladimir Putin, who cited NATO enlargement as a from the reasons for attacking Ukraine.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, the Western leader who seemed to have the best relationship with Putin before the war in Ukraine, is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday.
The Finnish Social Democrats led by Prime Minister Sanna Marin are likely to join other parties in Finland in approving a NATO application. But the situation in Sweden is not so clear.
The Swedish Social Democrats have always been committed to non-alignment, but party leader and Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has said there is a “before and after” of February 24th.
Sweden and Finland have sought and received support from the US and other NATO members on whether to apply for membership.
The Kremlin has warned of “military and political consequences” if the Swedes and Finns decide to join NATO.
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