Finland and Sweden: Debate on NATO membership | DW News

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson are meeting in Stockholm on Wednesday to discuss regional security matters in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

At a joint press conference after, Marin said she could not give a timetable for a decision on whether Finland would join NATO but nonetheless said the decision was weeks, not months away. Andersson said Sweden would not rush a decision, but the country's assessment of the security situation would be thorough but expedient.

All 30 members of NATO would need to ratify the country's membership which could take anywhere from a few months to a year. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said the door for membership remains open.

While many analysts expect a joint application from the two countries, the leaders of both countries stress Finland and Sweden could ultimately reach separate conclusions on whether to join the military alliance.

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Finnish citizen here, who used to be against NATO. Considering the steps taken now and the discussion, i'm 95% certain that Finland will apply for membership in NATO. The steps that have been taken are such that they wouldn't be taken unless the government leadership is ready to propose membership. Parliament and committees will talk about it of course, but i think most parliament members have already decided to be for membership due to Russian actions in Ukraine. We (finns) never simply thought Putin & Russia would go off the rails that way.

[Nonsense]

I think it is hard to comprehend how big of a deal Finnland joining NATO is.

Finnland was the the muster child, of a country that wasn't part of NATO and still free. For them neutrality worked well and I'm sure that when Ukraine gave up Nuclear weapons, they looked at Finnland and though "this could work".

Now that is all in shattered. Now Finnland sees Ukraine and thinks, that you are either a NATO member or a target for Russia.
For the neighbors of Russia, neutrality doesn't seem to be an option any more and this makes Russia weaker.

[paanikki]

The Finnish neutrality after WW2 was not our own choice. We were not able to choose which western organisations or forms of co-operation we wanted to join. Therefore, Finnish military non-alignment is not an ideological choice, but pragmatic, based on the idea that having decent relations with Russia would de-escalate military tensions and serve our national security. When the security environment changed overnight, and when we no longer have a relationship with Russia to take care of, It was easy to change our minds about Nato membership.

Sweden's military non-alignment is based on their more than 100 years of neurality, that allowed them to stay out of WW1 and WW2 (even though they had to make some concessions to Germany. like allowing transit of troops through Swedish territory). So, staying outside military alliances is more like an ideology in Sweden, especielly for the leading Social Democratic party. And because the change of public opinion in Sweden was not as dramatic as in Finland, the SD had not seriously considered Nato membership until they saw Finland was actually doing preparations for membership application.

Sweden has parliamentary elections in fall 2022. If the Social Democratic government does not send a Nato membership application while Finland does, the right wing pro-Nato parties might beat them in the elections. If they DO bring Sweden to Nato, some of their old voters who are more on the left, might be disappointed. So, the Swedish government only has bad options to choose from. This is why they are more reluctant.

[phil_]

If Russia doesn't want it, it must be a good idea. Because obviously, the last thing Russia wants is to do what makes sense.

[olafspetzki]

It is obvious that for Finland's old way Russia needs to be trustworthy - and that's gone!!!

One side effect of Finland joining NATO very quicky would be, that it "forces" Russia to incease troops close to Finland, and these men and their wardware can't wage war at the same time in Ukraine - so this move alone could significantly support Ukraine.
In addidion, it would dramaticly increase Putin's domestic problems, including his ability to sell this war as win for Russia.

[joseolivarra]

When russia says it's a bad idea to join NATO you should probably join NATO

[augustus]

I think it would be best for the security of the entire European continent. Russia has shown that NATO membership is the only way to not be invaded. Besides, Finland was only ever neutral because they were forced by the Soviet Union.

[dreamer]

It’s quite nice to see the partnership between Finland and Sweden. We are in this game together 😁🇫🇮👍🏻🇸🇪

[herrmajestat]

Sverige och Finland starka tillsammans!

[djcoolfrank]

Please, be so impressed if Finland and Sweden do it on the 9 of May.

[lemnikim]

Finland and Sweden as a sovereign country has the right to choose its own path and alliances.

[electricink]

Perfect. I would love to see Finland and Sweden as new NATO allies. Greetings from Poland

[RoccosVideos]

If it wasn’t for Russia NATO probably wouldn’t exist. Russia’s actions have only increased support for NATO in the west. Long live NATO and Ukraine. 🇺🇦💙💛🇺🇦

[Hunnah]

I always liked Finland and Sweeden, and would welcome them to the alliance! Hello from Canada!

[arilebon]

Russia is a recruiter for NATO. Russia gets a 10% commission.

In all seriousness, how did the Russians not foresee how unpopular they will be for declaring a war.

[pamelacharles]

Yes I can understand the worries these countries are facing . Being so close to Russia with a despicable man ruling I think it would be the wisest choice. All the best to Finland and Sweden

[skylineXpert]

Russia should NOT get to decide who their neighbours want to mingle and have a beer with.

If they can offer a better deal than the west so be it, if not then dont complain about the west making encroachment if your former ally want to join their party...

[skywatcher]

When you have a belligerent, barbaric, criminal and a terrorist neighbor, you prepare to arm and defend yourself. Having friends to help you makes sense

[ignorasmus]

Well done Putler!
You really scared the NATO away!!👍👍

[grek]

I think I fell in love in Finland🇵🇱😍🇫🇮