Finland and Sweden are likely to decide to join NATO this summer, after decades of neutrality and a move that is expected to significantly exacerbate Western military alliance tensions with Russia. The countries in the organization – which now numbers about 30 members – and the foreign ministers of the two Nordic countries.
Finland shares a border of more than 1,300 kilometers with Russia, and has known several conflicts with the country in the past after declaring its independence during the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Since then, Moscow has encouraged civil war and political disputes, twice trying to conquer Finland by force. During World War II, AA). Russia has continued to try and weaken the country in recent years as well, mainly through media campaigns that include “Pike News” and support for pro-Russian and anti-Western parties.
Whereas so far the Finnish public has been divided on whether or not to join NATO, and a small 51% majority was against the move, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the brutal war it has been waging in its neighboring country since February 24 have fundamentally changed the picture. Doubled from 32% about six months ago to about 60% last week – a record since the issue began starring in public opinion polls in 1998.
Latest poll from Finland. 68% in favour of NATO membership, 12 against. If President and the Government would recommend it, then 77% are in favour, 11 against. In short: SUPPORT for NATO is OVERWHELMING! https://t.co/9Pd5PDEzXb
– sven sakkov (@sakkov) April 11, 2022
The Prime Minister of Finland supports the accession to NATO
This is also reflected in the statements of politicians. Prime Minister Sana Marin, who heads a multi-party coalition, was interviewed over the weekend and expressed support for joining NATO over the umbrella of protection it extends to its members in the form of Article 5 – which sees an armed attack on one of the United States as an attack on all. Article 5 of the NATO Convention offers comprehensive security, “Marin said,” NATO also conducts joint exercises and has adopted a common security concept. No other system offers the same security guarantees as NATO.
Marin updated that the Finnish government has launched a review process for possible joining, and that recommendations will be submitted to the government in the coming weeks and “no later than June 21.” “There has been a real attempt to try and forge a functioning relationship with Russia, but now that residents see it as impossible – especially under Putin’s rule – they are changing their minds,” former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Shtov explained. The makeover.
Sweden has also announced that it is considering applying for membership in NATO. The Social Democratic Party, which leads the country’s coalition, has announced that it has initiated a formal review process and that it will end with recommendations “in the coming months”. “Essentially,” the party said in a statement issued earlier this week.
Despite the selectivity with Ukraine, NATO will be happy to accept the Nordic countries
NATO itself will be happy to join these countries, in contrast to the selectivity it has demonstrated in conjunction with countries such as Ukraine and Georgia. Considered one of the strongest in Europe, with about tens of thousands of soldiers serving and close to a million reservists, in a country of only five million inhabitants. Norwegian NATO Secretary-General Jannes Stoltenberg, whose term has been extended due to the situation in Ukraine, said he expects “all 30 member states of NATO” to welcome Finland and Sweden.
The joining schedule may be fast. Commentators expect Finland to announce its intentions in May, or at the latest before the annual NATO summit, to be held in late June in Madrid. Its move may be coordinated with Sweden.
One of the key questions is how Russia will respond to the announcements. The issue of NATO enlargement is one of Russia’s stated reasons for invading Ukraine, and a demand to freeze the accession of more European companies is part of Russia’s security demands introduced to the West before the war. Article 5 is not yet in force – to carry out a military attack.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has warned in recent days that there will be “serious consequences” for each of the two countries joining NATO. He added that Russia will take steps to “bring about a rebalancing of the situation.” Both countries will join NATO.
NATO Secretary-General Stolentberg said in an interview with the British Telegraph over the weekend that the security situation in Eastern Europe and the Baltic region has already changed. “Regardless of when and how the war in Ukraine will end, the war has already had long-term consequences for our security,” he said. “NATO needs to adapt to the new reality – and that’s exactly what we are doing.” Significant on the eastern border of the alliance, capable of dealing with a possible invasion.Currently, the alliance is deploying only “temporary” forces due to agreements with Russia on the issue.