Finland and Sweden have moved closer to becoming members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). But Russia is furious with this move of the Nordic countries. Russia has warned Finland and Sweden that they made a “huge mistake” by announcing joining NATO. Let us tell you that in the midst of the ongoing Russian attack on Ukraine, the Finnish government on Sunday openly announced its intention to become a member of NATO. Hours later, Sweden’s ruling party also backed a plan for NATO membership.
Russia’s warning, do not be under any illusion, Finland and Sweden
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday that Finland and Sweden joining the NATO military alliance was a mistake with far-reaching consequences and a radical change in the global situation, news agencies reported. Interfax reported that Ryabkov said Finland and Sweden should have no illusions that Russia would readily accept their decision.
Russia has long been bitter about NATO’s approach to its border. In such a situation, the latest developments are sure to make Moscow more angry. President Vladimir Putin has already warned Finland’s president on Saturday that relations will be “negatively affected”.
NATO prepares to add Finland and Sweden to the Northern Defense
Here NATO has also started preparations to annex Finland and Sweden. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said after a meeting of top diplomats of 30 NATO alliance member states in Berlin on Sunday that the process of joining Finland and Sweden could be very fast. Finland and Sweden will be part of NATO’s Northern Defense.
Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin told lawmakers on Monday that with NATO membership, “if we are attacked, we will get help.” If another member state is attacked, we will help. NATO’s security guarantees would significantly enhance the deterrent effect of Finland’s security. One of Finland’s main tasks within NATO will be to ensure its defense.”
Turkey is the only member of NATO which objected to bringing these countries together. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Kavusoglu was unhappy that Finland and, in particular, Sweden, held talks with Kurdish militants operating in eastern Turkey. Sweden is sending a team of diplomats to Ankara for talks this week.
However, NATO member Turkey has raised concerns over Sweden and Finland joining NATO, accusing them of supporting Kurdish militants whom Ankara considers terrorists. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Kavusoglu told reporters in Berlin on Sunday that Finland and Sweden had also imposed sanctions on defense sales to Turkey, which Turkey had termed “unacceptable”. Turkey’s foreign minister said it was not that his country was against the expansion of NATO, but that countries that support terror and “follow policies that oppose us should not be NATO allies.” Stoltenberg said Turkey was not against Sweden and Finland’s membership, but wanted its concerns to be addressed first.
What is the process of joining NATO countries?
After the formal application is submitted, NATO must decide whether to consider the request. If a decision on the inclusion of the countries is taken, NATO will then negotiate their obligations with those countries as members before signing the protocol. The longest step is to get support by 30 national parliaments and the whole process could take up to a year. Stoltenberg said that NATO will look into ways to protect both countries.
How NATO will get advantage over Russia
At the end of that process, NATO is also going to benefit. It has got two of the most advanced and advanced armies in the form of Sweden and Finland and these countries have a better ability to defend the three Baltic countries – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Finland guards a nearly 1,300-kilometre (800 mi) long border with Russia, has a reserve of 900,000 troops and is capable of deploying 280,000 of them in times of war. It is conducted on a recruitment-based system where most men and some women undergo military training lasting six months to a year.
Both have partnered and trained with NATO forces in the past. However, they remained outside the purview of NATO’s collective security guarantees. German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock said on Sunday that they are already “members of NATO, without membership cards.”