Will the war in Ukraine mean the end of neutrality for some states? | Europe | News and current affairs from across the continent DW
“It is their decision,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg late last week. “But if they decide to apply, Finland and Sweden will be warmly welcomed and I expect that process to go quickly.”
Both countries have long considered themselves neutral, but the war in Ukraine could put them in the arms of the military alliance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. And they are not the only European countries questioning their status given the current threat from Russia. DW has an overview.
Switzerland: Adheres to the sanctions
Switzerland is considered to be the very embodiment of the neutral state. In 1815, Swiss representatives promised to stay away from conflicts and not to provide mercenaries to any side. In return, European powers assured Switzerland that they would not engage in any conflict on Swiss territory. “This is guaranteed internationally and thus represents the strongest neutrality that even exists,” says historian Michael Gehler at the University of Hildesheim, near Hanover.
Even with the ongoing Russian attack on Ukraine, the Swiss government has remained steadfast in its neutral status. It has said it will not supply weapons nor will it provide Swiss ammunition for German tanks to be sent to Ukraine.
But Gehler pointed out a big difference: “Participation in sanctions against the Russian Federation, against top representatives such as. [President] Putin and [Foreign Minister] Lavrov, and not just against oligarchs – it’s new. Switzerland has never done that before. “
Austria: Strengthens its military
Austria declared permanent neutrality in 1955, a precondition for Allied troops to withdraw after World War II.
The status has softened somewhat in recent years and Austria has participated in joint military exercises with NATO members. “However, Austrian government officials have not shown any willingness to abandon neutrality and join NATO so far,” Gehler said, adding that most of the population supports this stance.
However, the war in Ukraine has also had an impact on Austria, and the government wants to strengthen the army and improve its capabilities.
Ireland: Give moral support to Kyiv
Ireland declared its neutral status after becoming independent from Britain in 1921 and retained it during World War II. The vast majority of the Irish people are still opposed to NATO membership, although that debate has intensified in recent weeks.
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin has repeatedly made it clear that the country is neutral militarily, but on Ukraine’s side both politically and morally.
Although Ireland is not a member of NATO, Ireland – like Austria – is a member of the European Union, which states in its mutual defense clause that “if a Member State is subjected to armed aggression in its territory, the other Member States shall oppose it. obligation to assist and assist by all means within their power […]. “
Sweden: Delivers weapons to Ukraine
Although Sweden’s neutrality has never been enshrined in its constitution, the Scandinavian country has not been involved in a conflict since the beginning of the 19th century.
Since Sweden joined the European Union in 1995, Sweden has described itself as an alliance-free state but participates in joint maneuvers with NATO.
The Swedish government has clearly positioned itself with regard to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is supplying Kyiv with weapons, including anti-tank weapons. Since the beginning of the war, there has been much speculation that Sweden, along with Finland, will soon apply for NATO membership.
Finland: Seriously considering joining NATO
Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb told the DW at the end of March that Finland was not a member of NATO “yet”, but that Finland would submit an application to join NATO “not in days or weeks, but within a few months.”
He said that the number of Finns who supported joining the alliance had increased in opinion polls in recent weeks. Finland shares a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border with Russia and did not declare independence from the country until 1917.
“The Finns have been able to preserve this independence with a relationship with Moscow that was always accommodating,” Gehler said.
But “Russia is not the neighbor we imagined,” said Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin recently. She has actively advocated joining NATO and has clearly placed her country on Ukraine’s side and provided the Kyiv government with weapons.
Cyprus and Malta: Acts hard against oligarchs
Cyprus initially struggled to condemn Russia’s aggression, as thousands of Russians live in Cyprus and many oligarchs have invested billions on the island.
But the government has now taken a tough stance against the Russians on the EU’s sanctions list and has even withdrawn some “golden passports” that had been granted to Russian oligarchs.
Cyprus has provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but no military equipment.
The same applies to other EU Member States Malta, where the debate on whether or not to maintain neutral status has intensified. They have stopped selling “golden passports” to Russians.
Moldova: Starting to worry
In 1994, three years after becoming independent from the Soviet Union, Moldova incorporated its neutral status into its constitution. By doing so, it was hoped that Russian troops would no longer enter its territory. However, the Kremlin continues to station troops in the Trans-Dniester breakaway region, which is under the control of pro-Russian separatists.
Moldova, fearing they could become Russia’s next target, has demanded peace in Ukraine
Following a series of recent explosions in Trans-Dniester, there are now fears in Moldova that Russian President Vladimir Putin is looking for an excuse to invade. The small country shares more than half of its border with Ukraine and has already received thousands of refugees.
Moldova applied for EU membership on March 3, 2022. But NATO membership is off the table as long as there are Russian troops in the Trans-Dniester.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Hoping to join NATO one day
Almost three decades after the Bosnian war, the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is still unstable and there are still fears that Russia could intervene.
The country is a NATO partner and has long hoped to join the alliance. However, one of its units – Republika Srpska, which supports Serbia and Russia – completely rejects NATO membership.
Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik said at the beginning of the war in Ukraine: “Long live Serbia, long live Russia, long live Republika Srpska!”
Serbia: Plays both sides
Serbia, which is officially neutral, has traditionally always had strong ties with Moscow and has common military maneuvers with Russia.
“For President Aleksandar Vucic, there is no question of joining NATO,” said historian Gehler. The country has not forgotten NATO’s bombings in 1999, and still resents Kosovo’s independence.
And although efforts have been made to join the European Union, “the pro-Russian stance is unlikely to change in the near future,” he said.
This article was originally written in German.