Possibility of Finland and Sweden membership in NATO

Sweden, which has long had neutral status and shares about 1,300 kilometers of its border with Russia, is more reluctant than Finland. By not being members, the 16 million inhabitants of Finland and Sweden do not have the guarantee of protection from NATO, which operates on the principle that an attack on a member country is an attack on all allies.

Following the start of the Russian offensive against Ukraine on February 24, polls show that Finns have changed their minds about their country’s membership in NATO.

Sweden, which has not been involved in a war since 1814, is more reluctant.

But a recent poll by popular Swedish television reveals that 59 per cent of citizens want Sweden to join NATO if Finland does.

“Although both countries are close to NATO, as much as they may be non-members, Russia’s attack has changed public opinion. “Now both countries are seeking NATO membership because of the benefits that come with it, namely the mutual protection clause.” explains expert Rachel Rizzo from the Atlantic Council.

U.S. officials expect the two Nordic countries to apply for membership in the alliance, possibly as early as June. Washington is thought to support the move, which would bring the number of alliance countries to 32. The State Department said last week that NATO leaders’ discussions had taken place with Helsinki and Stockholm.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said the next steps would be clarified in the coming weeks. He said parliament would consider a government report on changes to Finland’s security following Russia’s decision to attack Ukraine, adding that his country was ready to propose NATO membership if it had enough parliamentary support.

In Sweden, the government and opposition are conducting a security policy analysis, a report expected to be published in May.

If these countries apply for membership, the application must be accepted by the 30 member countries in an expedited process.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that Finland and Sweden could be given a quick entry into the alliance, but no details have yet been released on what the process might look like.

Analyst Rizzo says that if Sweden and Finland are attacked by Russia before joining NATO, the alliance would be ready to respond.

“They work closely with NATO. “The relationship that NATO has established with Finland and Sweden means a measure of protection for both countries.” she says.

The Kremlin said today that NATO enlargement and the membership of Sweden and Finland would not bring stability to Europe.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that if this happened, Russia would have to “rebalance the situation” with its own measures.

“I do not believe that their membership in NATO would lead to the same response of Russia as to Georgia and Ukraine. “But we can expect an increase in hybrid threats, cyber attacks, information warfare, as Russia always does by threatening and intimidating potential NATO members.” says Mrs. Rizzo.

Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the ensuing fighting have resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians and soldiers, the destruction of cities and towns, and an unprecedented series of Western-coordinated sanctions./VOA

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