Until now, joining Nato has been seen as beyond the pale for the traditionally-neutral Sweden and Finland, but some feel Russia’s actions could change that
February 26, 2022 4:04 pm(Updated February 27, 2022 10:23 am)
Amid Vladimir Putin’s ongoing invasion into Ukraine, Russia has issued a veiled warning to Sweden and Finland as talks of potential Nato membership resurface.
As both countries weigh up whether to join the alliance as a safeguard against Russian aggression, foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned: “Their accession to Nato can have detrimental consequences and face some military and political consequences.”
Nato members are committed to defending one another from an attack by a foreign power, and a condition of membership is spending two per cent of GEP on defence.
Ukraine was not a member of Nato, meaning Western powers have no obligation to send troops to their defence.
Why isn’t Finland in Nato?
Of the 27 EU members, Finland is one of just six that is not also a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) alongside Austria, Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and Sweden.
Finland is part of Nato’s Partnership for Peace programme, however, that allows flexible cooperation between the two parties and is generally seen as a trust-building outfit that may eventually lead to a full Nato membership.
But while Finland maintains the right to make up its own mind about joining Nato, it has also previously made clear its intentions not to join the alliance.
The Russian-Finnish ‘Winter War’ that took place from 1939 to 1940 created a strong belief of military prowess for Finland and, unlike most countries in Europe, it did not significantly reduce its military following the cold war.
Perhaps because it shares a 1,340km border with Russia, ensuring it can protect itself has since been a high priority for Finland and with it the belief that it does not need Nato to remain secure.
This was reiterated in a speech given by Finnish foreign minister Pekka Haavisto the day Russia invaded Ukraine, who said: “We have a security policy designed to withstand times of crisis.
“We will use the means at our disposal, including cooperation with Nato partners. After a crisis, we will see what further action is needed.”
However, Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto has stressed: “Finland’s room to manoeuvre and freedom of choice also includes the possibility of military alignment and of applying for Nato membership, should we ourselves so decide.”
Others, including former prime minister Alexander Stubb, has said that Russia is “pushing Finland closer to Nato membership” and that “at this rate, we have no other option but to join.”
Why isn’t Sweden in Nato?
Sweden has long maintained a neutral stance in world politics, though like Finland it joined Nato’s Partnership for Peace programme in 1994.
Sweden has held neutrality for 200 years and as it relies on trade with both the United States and Russia it has sought to stay that way.
The events of 2014 shifted this goal slightly, however, as Sweden began pouring resources back into its military after several acts of hostility from Russia.
Sweden reported multiple incursions into its territory with Russia believed to be at the helm. The invasion of Ukriane’s Crimean Peninsula also prompted Sweden to boost its military capabilities.
Public positivity towards Nato spiked as a result, and in 2019, data from Gothenburg University showed that roughly the same amount of people wanted to join Nato as those who didn’t.
Despite this, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson made clear on Thursday that her country still believed in its neutrality.
She said: “Sweden has been alliance-free for an extremely long time. It has served Sweden’s interests well.”
However, she later added: “I want to be extremely clear. It is Sweden that itself and independently decides on our security policy line.”
