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The Ukraine war has revived old fears of Russia in Sweden, especially on its strategic island of Gotland. It is never known what is going on, say worried residents, some of whom have started gathering food and taking an interest in the nearest anti-aircraft shelters.
“It seems to me that the war is getting closer every day. “It makes me feel anxious,” said Loki, a Swedish resident.
“The fact that Sweden, like Finland, is not part of NATO, makes me think of moving to a member state of the alliance, such as Iceland or Norway. I believe I will make this decision in the coming weeks, “said Jean-Hugues Pelletier, a French student.
For decades Finland and Sweden have preferred to maintain military neutrality. But the Russian occupation of Ukraine is clearing up membership doubts in the two countries.
A recent poll in Sweden reveals a radical shift in public perception: 41 per cent of Swedes and Swedes are now in favor of NATO membership, 35 per cent are against and 24 per cent undecided. For the first time, the majority is in favor of membership in this alliance.
In Finland this turn is even clearer. “For the first time since the creation of NATO, most Finns prefer the country’s membership.” Until recently, 24 to 28 percent were in favor. Now a few weeks later a majority of 53 per cent are in favor. Both Sweden and Finland renounced the doctrine of Cold War neutrality when they joined the European Union. But the role outside the military blocs they continued despite the increased cooperation and interoperability of these two countries with NATO in the last decade. Experts think that if the membership mechanisms are set in motion, Sweden can join the alliance within 5 years, while Finland even faster, at most next year.
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