360 shows you different perspectives on the most important stories and debates of the day.
What is happening
Sweden and Finland, two European nations that have long valued strategic neutrality, appear to be moving closer to joining NATO in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Security security has changed completely,” Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Anderson told reporters last week at a meeting with Finnish counterpart Sanna Marin. Anderson’s latest comments represent a significant change in her view of the value of NATO membership. Earlier last month, she said Sweden’s accession to the alliance “would further destabilize this area of Europe and increase tensions”.
Anderson’s change of mind is indicative of the changing attitudes of citizens in both countries in response to the constant flow of horrific news from Ukraine. In a recent survey, 68% of Finns said they supported joining NATO, up from just 24% last year. For the first time, a majority of Swedes said they also support accession, according to a poll released this week.
Although both nations have deep cultural and economic ties with Europe, Finland and Sweden have historically refused to seek NATO membership – even as more than a dozen Eastern European countries joined the alliance after the fall of the Soviet Union. Sweden’s resistance is rooted in its policy of neutrality, which dates back to the early 1800s. After fighting the Soviet invasion during World War II, Finland established an officially neutral position, largely to avoid provoking further aggression.
Created after World War II, NATO is a military alliance built on the principle of collective defense – which means that all NATO countries agree to stand up for each individual member who is under attack. Russia sees NATO as a direct threat, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said the possibility of Ukraine joining motivates his decision to launch a Russian invasion. Russia’s foreign ministry has warned of “serious military and political consequences” if Sweden and Finland join the alliance.
The story continues
Why there is a debate
Supporters say there are clear benefits to adding Sweden and Finland to NATO. They say the invasion serves as an astonishing reminder of how dangerous it can be for Russia’s borders. If they were members of NATO, the two Scandinavian countries would have the strength of some of the world’s most powerful militaries – including the United States – as a bulwark against any Russian invasion.
Some defense analysts believe that NATO and its members can gain a lot by attracting Sweden and Finland. Although both nations are relatively small, experts say their military is still great. The two countries will also provide valuable strategic support along Russia’s northwestern flank, especially along Finland’s 830-kilometer border with Russia. Others say NATO enlargement would be another non-military means of punishing Putin for his attack on Ukraine.
But skeptics are worried about potential revenge on Putin’s part, especially at a time when he is vulnerable and inclined to attack. Some also argue that increasing NATO’s position on Russia’s border will create opportunities for conflict that could escalate into a new world war.
There are those who believe that NATO should not exist at all. Some on the right believe that the alliance allows smaller nations to neglect their own defenses, knowing that great powers will come to their aid. Observers on the far left, on the other hand, say anything that encourages military force over nonviolent forms of cooperation is ultimately harmful to the world.
What next
There are two main steps that need to be taken before Sweden and Finland become part of NATO. First, their parliaments must formally vote in order to join. The legislatures of each of the 30 current NATO nations will then have to approve their membership, a process that took about a year in the recent past.
Perspectives
Supporters
The war in Ukraine made it clear why Sweden and Finland should join
“Who can blame the Finns and the Swedes for wanting to jump straight?” … Once they see what is happening with Ukraine, they do not want to be the next Ukraine. And it is clear that Putin does not want to directly challenge any NATO country. – Kevin Barron, Executive Editor of Defense One, MSNBC
Russia probably does not want to go to war to keep Sweden and Finland out of NATO
“Putin views Finland and Sweden differently from Ukraine because of their different histories. Ukraine is seen as part of Putin’s imaginary “Russian world.” Therefore, Sweden and Finland are less comparable to Ukraine, apart from their proximity to Russia. “Thomas O’Falk, Al Jazeera.”
Adding new NATO members is a strong, non-military way to punish Russia
“This would be a dramatic reversal of fate and would demonstrate the flexibility of liberal democracies in exercising the diplomatic element of power, well below the brink of war, this gray area where Russia – and in this sense China – was so agile. the recent past. “- Michael Miklaučić, The Hill
Both sides would bring many benefits to the NATO alliance
“Finland and Sweden will not be alliance mugs. Their strategic location in the Baltic Sea could be crucial in a wider conflict with Russia. Finland is already heavier than its military, and rich Sweden can afford the announced increases in defense spending. A secure Europe that is better able to defend itself serves American interests. “- Editorial, Wall Street Journal
Ukraine is a reminder of our responsibility to protect each other
“Ukraine is a change in European security. The real threat to other Member States leaves us all no choice but to look again at how we see our responsibilities to each other. “- Editing, Irish Times
NATO membership would save Ukraine
“If NATO had been more popular with Ukrainians and properly touted as a guarantee of security against Russia, Ukraine could have been saved from eight years or more of violence and suffering. The lesson to be learned is that NATO has not expanded far enough or fast enough. – Daniel Ramalo, National Interest
Skeptics
Russia can attack to prevent Sweden and Finland
“Is Russia seriously considering an attack on Finland or Sweden?” While it may seem unlikely, the West should not underestimate the possibility that Mr Putin, feeling isolated, stuck in a corner and limited in time, may make an otherwise hasty decision. – Sasha Glaser, Washington Times
NATO’s greater presence on Russia’s border increases the chances of a catastrophic conflict
“Finland – if it allows NATO bases, troops and weapons within its borders – can permanently strengthen the environment that now exists between the Kremlin and Washington. – Michael Hirsch, Foreign Policy
NATO’s post-Cold War enlargement has inspired Putin’s invasion of Ukraine
“If a decision had not been made to move NATO east to include Ukraine, today Crimea and Donbass would be part of Ukraine and there would be no war in Ukraine. “John Mirsheimer, a political scientist, in front of the New Yorker.”
NATO makes the world less secure
“To the extent that this non-governing security pact has made war easier, more marketable and more attractive to Western leaders than diplomacy, the alliance has been committed to peace and stability. “Chase Madara, the Nation.”
Greater militarism will never pave the way for peace
“Europe is moving forward and arming itself to the teeth to defend itself. … So that, [Russia says] we must arm ourselves to the teeth to protect ourselves from the pressure of this extremely powerful force against NATO. I mean, if someone watches this from space, they’ll laugh. – Noam Chomsky, linguist and political commentator for Intercept
The United States does not have to sign to protect even weaker countries
“We need to understand that nothing is being done in a vacuum, and the addition of Finland and Sweden to NATO adds weight to the whole alliance. “And that adds another level of potential risk to the United States.” – Daniel Davis, foreign policy expert, to The Hill
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Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Alexey Nikolsky / Sputnik / AFP via Getty Images (2)
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