Editorial: Finland and Sweden would strengthen NATO | Leader
The Russian invasion of Ukraine was intended to stop NATO’s expansion but has instead led Finland and Sweden to consider joining the defense alliance. NATO should welcome these two countries with a long history of military alliance freedom, a move that would strengthen the coalition of free nations and mark a major setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unfortunate ambitions.
After being invaded by the Soviet Union in 1939 – a war that Moscow lost – and invading the Soviet Union with German aid during World War II – a war that Finland lost – Helsinki has sought friendly relations with its powerful eastern neighbor for more than 70 years. It refused to join NATO during the Cold War, as did Sweden. Finland is also dependent on Russia for more than 40% of its energy needs, an excessive dependence on an unreliable and ruthless partner that needs to change.
Mr Putin’s unprovoked and brutal attack on Ukraine has caused a massive turnaround in Finnish public opinion towards Russia and NATO, from just 26% supporting NATO membership in October to 60% supporting membership in March, according to a survey. Another survey showed that 84% of Finns consider Russia a “significant military threat”, according to Defense News. They are clairvoyant in the face of the growing threat from a more dangerous and more expansionist Russia, with which they share an 832 km long land border.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted Finland to review our security strategy,” said Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin last week during a press conference in Stockholm hosted by Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson. “I will not give any kind of timetable for when we will make our decision, but I think it will go pretty fast. Within weeks, not within months. The security landscape has completely changed. ”
Of course, Russia reacted angrily to the news. Finland and Sweden are considering applying for NATO membership. The Deputy Chief of Staff of Russia’s Security Council, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, warned that “Russia would need to strengthen its defense in the Baltic Sea region. This would include the deployment of nuclear weapons, if Finland and Sweden join NATO. In this situation, it could no longer there is talk of a nuclear-weapon-free status for the Baltics – the balance must be restored. “
Obviously, none of this is without risk. But Mr. Medvedev’s threat is likely to backfire by making Finland and Sweden even more determined to seek refuge under NATO’s umbrella, backed by US, French and British forces. Sweden in particular has been concerned about Russian military activity in the Baltic Sea for several years and has upgraded its defense. In 2014, a nuclear-armed Russian submarine of the whiskey class ran aground in Swedish waters, an incident known as “whiskey on the rocks” that seriously alarmed the Swedish pub.
NATO needs stronger conventional forces in view of Russia’s aggressive behavior, and Sweden and Finland have robust, advanced militaries that would significantly add to the Alliance’s capabilities. An analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies also notes, “Both nations have much in common with the Allies given their long-standing efforts to build social resistance to Russian disinformation, with an emphasis on civil preparedness and national self-defense.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently said: “There are no other countries closer to NATO” politically and militarily.
Finland, Sweden and NATO would all benefit if the two Nordic states join the alliance. It would also be another significant sign that Putin’s blatant and brutal actions in Ukraine are changing the world to Russia’s detriment.