EXPLAINER-What you need to know about Finland’s and Sweden’s path to NATO membership
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden have considered applying for membership in NATO’s military alliance, which would mark a major political shift for the Nordic region.
Here is the latest on the process and the most important points discussed: WHAT ARE THE KEY STEPS FORWARD?
The coming days are crucial. On May 12, Finland decides to apply for NATO membership, the Iltalehti newspaper reported on Sunday, citing anonymous Finnish government sources. It would happen in two steps, Iltalehti reported. President Sauli Niinisto would first announce his approval for Finland to join, followed by parliamentary groups approving the application.
There would be no vote in plenary in Parliament without parliamentary group leaders expressing the decisions of their groups. Reuters was not immediately available to confirm the report.
In Sweden, the Riksdag conducts a security policy review, including the advantages and disadvantages of joining the alliance, with the result on 13 May. There is already a majority in Parliament to support NATO membership. In parallel, the ruling Social Democrats, the largest party in any election for the past 100 years, will have an internal debate on 9-12 May on whether to end long-standing opposition to NATO membership, with the party leadership making a decision by 24 May.
If Finland applies, Sweden will probably do the same, as it does not want to be the only Nordic outsider. Other Nordic countries – Norway, Denmark and Iceland – have joined the pact as founding members. Several recent polls suggest that a majority of Swedes are in favor – something that has never been seen before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. ANY CUTTING POINTS?
Finland and Sweden would like some guarantees that NATO member countries would defend them during a transitional period, when they would be candidates for the alliance, but not yet entered into. Ratification could take a year, say NATO diplomats, as the parliaments of all 30 NATO countries must approve new members.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that the countries could join “quickly” and that he was sure that arrangements could be found for the transition period. The United States and Britain have promised Sweden “increased military presence, more in-depth military exercises and” strong political “support from NATO countries” during a possible NATO application process, Aftonbladet reported.
Finland’s Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto acknowledged that an application for membership would not in itself bring the two Nordic countries under the umbrella of NATO’s Article 5, which guarantees that an attack on an ally is an attack on everyone. “But at the same time, NATO member countries have an interest in ensuring that no security breaches occur during the application period,” Haavisto said, adding that Finland, for example, could conduct expanded military exercises with NATO members during that time.
WHAT DOES RUSSIA SAY? Moscow has repeatedly warned of “serious consequences” if Finland and Sweden join NATO, saying that they must strengthen their land, naval and air forces in the Baltic Sea, and raised the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in the area.
Russia and Finland share a border of 1,300 km (810 km); The Kola Peninsula is a “strategic bastion” that Moscow considers to be the key to Russia’s national security; it is also home to the Russian Northern Fleet; and Russia’s second largest city, St. Petersburg, is located about 170 km from the border with Finland. (Additional reporting by Robin Emmott in Brussels, edited by Gwladys Fouche and Tomasz Janowski)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)