NATO opens its doors to Sweden and Finland. These are two historically neutral countries after World War II that did not join NATO. But now, Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine brings them even closer to the Atlantic Alliance. The 1340-kilometer border between Finland and Russia was a compelling reason to maintain good relations with Moscow, but the positions are moving in a way that was unimaginable two months ago.
Finland, which did not join the EU until 1995 – like Sweden and Austria – had a historic relationship with Russia: it was part of the Russian Empire, from which it became independent in 1917. Later, at the beginning of World War II, Moscow tried to retake the territory, but it did not succeed in 1939-1940. Later, in 1941-1944, the conflict with Russia was linked to the Axis Powers – Nazi Germany, Japan and Italy.
According to a recent poll, 62% of Finns would be in favor of joining NATO. And high-level negotiations are already under way between NATO and Finland and Sweden on hypothetical membership. “We know they can easily join this alliance if they decide to ask for it,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at the entrance to a meeting of Atlantic Alliance foreign ministers in Brussels on Wednesday. To join, I hope all allies will welcome them.
In this regard, one of the security issues to be considered is the period when the entry is requested and accepted. “In the medium term, I’m confident we will find ways to address any concerns you may have about a potential application and final ratification,” Stoltenberg said. In other words, the Allies will have the opportunity to offer guarantees to the two candidates before the final entry: “If they make a request, we will sit down and find a way to solve this problem. I believe that the accession process of these countries can be quite liquid, we know that they are already very close to NATO.
“After the invasion [rusa sobre Ucrania] “Some mechanisms have been put in place to further integrate Finland and Sweden into our discussions and meetings and NATO activities,” Stoltenberg said. “It remains to be decided whether they want to apply for membership.
Finland’s decision to join NATO should be made in the spring, Finnish Prime Minister Sana Marin told the leadership of the Social Democratic Party last Saturday. Marin told the meeting that Russia “is not a neighbor as they thought,” adding that Finland ‘s relations with Russia have changed “irreversibly”.
Last week, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Anderson, for her part, also expressed a desire to consider joining NATO.
Another issue that pre-emerged before the NATO summit was the shipment of tanks to Ukraine by the Czech Republic. The first country to send heavy weapons after a debate over the deployment of fighters by Poland, which ultimately failed.
“The Allies are supplying Ukraine with anti-tank, anti-aircraft or anti-aircraft defense systems, but also various types of advanced weapons systems, as well as light and heavy weapons systems,” Stoltenberg said. What kind of equipment is provided by the Allies, but I can say what the Allies are doing is important. And that also includes some heavy systems with light systems. There is an urgent need and I hope the Allies will provide more support to the various weapons systems.
The NATO Secretary General said that “there are no signs that President Putin has changed his ambition to control the whole of Ukraine and also to rewrite the international order. We must be ready in the long run.”
Source: El Diario
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
