The NATO chief says that Finland, Sweden could join fairly quickly
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that Finland and Sweden would be embraced with open arms if they decided to join the military organization with 30 nations and could become members fairly quickly
BRUSSELS – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that Finland and Sweden would be embraced with open arms if they decided to join the military organization with 30 countries and could become members fairly quickly.
Stoltenberg’s statements came as public support in Finland and Sweden for NATO membership increased in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Media speculation in the two countries suggests that the two may apply in mid-May.
“It’s their decision,” Stoltenberg said. “But if they decide to apply, Finland and Sweden will be warmly welcomed, and I expect that process to go quickly.”
He did not give an exact time frame, but said that the two could expect some protection if Russia tried to intimidate them from the time their membership applications are made until they formally agree.
Stoltenberg said he was “confident that there are ways to bridge that interim period in a way that is good enough and works for both Finland and Sweden.”
NATO’s collective security guarantee ensures that all member states must come to the aid of all allies under attack. Stoltenberg added that many NATO allies have now promised and given a total of at least $ 8 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
Before the war began in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded that NATO stop expanding and withdraw its troops from Russia’s borders. So the prospect of neighboring Finland and Sweden joining the transatlantic alliance is unlikely to be welcomed in Moscow.
Finland has a conflict-ridden history with Russia, as they share a border of 1,340 kilometers (830 kilometers). Finns have participated in dozens of wars against their eastern neighbor, for centuries as part of the Kingdom of Sweden, and as an independent nation, including two that fought with the Soviet Union in 1939-40 and 1941-44.
During the post-war period, however, Finland had pragmatic political and economic ties with Moscow, remained militarily non-aligned and a neutral buffer between East and West.
Sweden has avoided military alliances for more than 200 years and has chosen a path of peace after centuries of warfare with its neighbors.
Both countries put an end to traditional neutrality by joining the European Union in 1995 and deepening cooperation with NATO. However, a majority of the people in both countries were strongly opposed to full membership in the alliance – until now.
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