Finland and Sweden Take Important Steps Toward NATO Membership

Finland and Sweden, two European Union member states, took important steps on Wednesday, April 13, toward joining the NATO alliance. The Finnish government submitted an important security report to its parliament, and the Swedish government began reviewing its security options.

Russia’s military attack on Ukraine has increased public support in Sweden and Finland for joining NATO. The latest polls show that a majority of Finns support their country joining NATO, and in Sweden, the number of supporters far exceeds opponents.

Finland, with a population of approximately 5.5 million, has the longest shared border with Russia among European countries, stretching approximately 1,340 kilometers, while Sweden does not share a border with Russia.

The Russian government has warned Finland and Sweden against joining NATO, saying such action will not contribute to European stability. Russian officials have said that Moscow will respond to such a decision with consequences that have “military and political implications” for Finland and Sweden.

One of the reasons for Russia’s military attack on Ukraine is that Kyiv refused to accept the condition of not joining NATO.

Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland, said on Wednesday during a joint press conference with her Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson, that after lengthy discussions in parliament, Finland is ready to make a decision about joining NATO “within weeks rather than months.”

Ms. Marin emphasized that the two countries of Finland and Sweden, despite extensive political, economic, and military cooperation, will each separately decide on security policies, including the issue of NATO membership.

The Finnish Prime Minister added: “Of course, we will make such a decision taking into account its effects not only on our own country but also on our neighbors.” She noted that she prefers both Finland and Sweden to join NATO.

Magdalena Andersson, Prime Minister of Sweden, also said the two countries will continue “frank and honest discussions” about each party’s decision regarding NATO membership in the coming weeks.

Ms. Andersson added that the Swedish government, with the participation of all parties represented in parliament, is reviewing a new report on the country’s security situation, which will likely be completed by late May or sooner. Additionally, Sweden’s ruling Social Democratic Party has separately begun reviewing the country’s security issues in the new environment.

Finnish experts believe that the only option for joining NATO would be to increase military and security cooperation between the two countries with the United States and Norway, both of which are NATO members.

Currently, Social Democratic parties are in power in both countries. It is expected that both parties will announce their final position on joining NATO in May. The parliaments of both countries have also conducted preliminary discussions and are ready for decision-making. Finland’s parliament is expected to make a decision in late May, and Sweden’s parliament slightly later.

One issue that could complicate the decision-making process in Sweden is parliamentary elections scheduled for September, which will likely cast a shadow over NATO decision-making.

The President of Finland has announced that his country will make its final decision before the next summit of NATO member states, scheduled for June 29-30 in Madrid.

On Wednesday, the Finnish government submitted its report on changes in the country’s security situation to parliament, and the review of the report will begin after Easter holidays. This report examined the strengths and weaknesses of NATO membership with a focus on threats related to raw material supply, economic consequences, cybersecurity, and hybrid threats.

Finland’s Foreign Minister, when presenting this report to parliament, said: “The war that Russia started has endangered the stability and security of all of Europe. Russia’s military attack will have long-term effects on our security, and trust in Russia has been severely diminished.”

Source: Radio Farda