Finland And Sweden May Join NATO - What About Ukraine? | Ayman

If part of Putin’s strategy in invading Ukraine was to scare European countries out of wanting to join NATO, that plan has backfired. But if Finland and Sweden may now get a green light on membership, Ayman and former US ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder discuss: Why didn't Ukraine?

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#NATO #Ukraine #Sweden

[julianscaeva]

I'm from Sweden, Putins threats after the talks of us and Finland joining NATO only made people here more eager to join.

[soopahfly]

Well, it was not unexpected. Neutrality only works if the concerned countries actually respect it. Clearly, Russia has no compunction in disregarding the idea.

[alexsabado]

Sweden and Finland should join NATO as soon as possible, you cannot stay neutral when you have a neighbor who is a Lunatic psychopath.

[vesakaitera]

As a Finn I can assure you, that Finland will apply for a membership in NATO even if there would be a quick peace in the war in Ukraine. But this peace might be enough so, that Sweden would not follow Finland to NATO. However, if the war will continue, Sweden will probably apply for a membership in NATO. For the Swedes this NATO membership is a deeply ideological case, but for us Finns it is a matter of survival: ally or relive the horrible Winter war in 1939-1940 again. Finland has a 1344 kilometer long border with Russia, Sweden has no land border with Russia, that is the crucial difference between these two Nordic countries.

[donsurlylyte]

if ukraine had been in nato, invasion never happened- time for finland and sweden to join for sure. these days it really doesnt matter where nukes are positioned, that is an empty threat.

[classicalaid]

If Putin is feeling unsettled than Finland and Sweden want to join NATO, it would be wise and humbling for him to ask himself what of value has he ever offered those two countries. And the answer is: ZERO.

[eamonreidy]

Imagine how historically horrific a neighbour you have to be to have most bordering nations abandon you at the first attempt or abandoned neutrality some time later

[gunn-brittslagochetik]

Swede here, this is all up to Finland as if they join NATO we will follow.

[premdeepkhatri]

Says "Iron can shaped when it is red hot". Putin's being upset giving threats and Ukraine fightback shows that situation is perfect called red hot to give NATO membership ASAP to Finland and Sweden.

[GreenGrasshoppa]

Finland and Sweden are free autonimous states. I would think it's up to both the people and the governments of those countries to decide for themselves when or if they want to join NATO, not Putin.

[martiansoon]

One of the weirdest things inside current Nato is this. Finland and Sweden has been extremely close Nato partners decades. Normally when someone sends Nato application, then it is normally invited to this kind of mutual partnership, but Finland and Sweden has been there for decades without application... They both have Nato suitable forces and command structure. And they both have pretty good armies, that would strengthen Nato's northern defense capabilities. Even scientific, engineering and political cultures in these nations could enhance Nato even further.

Left alone Finland and Sweden are under the insane threats that are coming from Putin's regime. Even when regime changes there is no expectations that the situation goes much better. Bordering Russia has taught that. And there are loads of talks of using nukes in smaller battles too, so small countries near Russia are vulnerable against those WW3 type of threats. Finland and Sweden have capabilities to protect their countries, but against nukes there is not that many real defensive possibilities, but joining a larger alliance that has them too. Not even with nearly 80 years of defensive preparations that specially Finland has been doing since WW2.

So the only thing that was needed between these countries and Nato is really the political and popular will to be in Nato. And now there is that will. Probably Finland is going to apply to Nato in approx. 2-3 weeks (let's say a week after SDP [PM's party, see also what SDP's Tytti Tuppurainen said to SkyNews.] has make their decision) and most likely Sweden will follow too (joint application may take a bit longer, but Finland may just rush before Sweden).

[dougcoombes]

Russia already has nuclear weapons deployed in the Baltic. And many of their nuclear delivery systems have thousands of miles range, it doesn't matter where they are based. Russian ICBMs if they were based in Siberia could hit Finland and Sweden. The threat Finland and Sweden are worried about from Russia is conventional attack and invasion like is going on in Ukraine right now. And being part of NATO would protect them from that.

[pinklover]

Thank you Putin for strengthening NATO! 👏

[R-D]

At least Finland has been threatened with nuclear weapons on a regular basis for as long as Russia has owned them. They have even been threatened in business talks during the Cold War if Finnish ministers refused a proposal for co-operation. Therefore, Medvedev's speeches are certainly nothing new.

[rursus]

As a Swede I think this is not about protecting ourself from Russia, but rather to protect the countries around the Baltic Sea from Russian attacks, by contributing our own defence systems.

[hahtos]

Finnish army is a great doorstop against Putler's demented dreams. Well trained and equipped, huge artillery force designed to maul russian columns on the few roads leading in, and very capable air force.

[qualicumwilson]

My daughter lives in Sweden and I was surprised to hear this in 2018:- "May 22, 2018 — It last for 10 days"  The reason given?  Sweden does not trust Russia.

[viaini.niaivi]

YES THIS IS THE TIME, RIGHT MOMENTUM! ACCEPT THOSE 3, ALL TOGETHER AT ONCE SAME DAY! POOTIN HAS NO VOICE ON THIS MATTER, HE MUST ACCEPT & RESPECT OTHER COUNTRIES RIGHT TO DEFEND THEIR LAND! 😤

[jbx.]

No matter what Ukraine is Nato...really God bless Ukraine 🙏 and the Ukrainian people 🇺🇦 🙏 ❤

[MavicAir]

The threats are no different than they were 50 days ago. Sweden and Finland would be great NATO members.