Russians, Swedes share opinions on Sweden and Finland’s historic shift towards NATO

As the Swedish government on Monday formally announced its decision to bid for NATO membership, citizens outside the country's parliament mulled the pros and cons of abandoning almost two centuries of military non-alignment in exchange for security in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Outside the parliament building, Git Lennaard, 62, waved a Swedish flag with the word "NATO" emblazoned on it, saying that she would choose NATO over Russia "every day of the week."

On the other side of the parliament, a group of demonstrators gathered and chanted, "No to NATO!" at passing politicians as they made their way in and out of the building.

As for Russians, St Petersburg residents expressed some concerns and regrets about the decisions of Finland and Sweden.

"It is terrifying that St Petersburg and the Leningrad region will be so close to NATO's bases," said Natalia Vostrikova, a St Petersburg resident.

Russia said on Monday that the West should have no illusions that Moscow would simply put up with the Nordic expansion of U.S.-led NATO to include Sweden and Finland, casting the move as a mistake that would stoke military tension.

#GlobalNews

[dblaze]

They have to listen to their boss USA...

[TheWeekendFriend]

I'm beginning to see why Sweden protesters aren't for NATO. Joining a war in exchange for security? How does that sentence make any sense? I ask the same question, who tf is NATO?

[primmakinsofis]

"Russia is a nearly unstoppable military powerhouse that poses an existential threat to the countries of Europe."
"Russia is bogged down in Ukraine, its military ineffective and stretched thin."

PICK ONE. Because both cannot be true at the same time.

[mr]

Good for Finland 🇫🇮 and Sweden 🇸🇪
Japan 🇯🇵 want to join NATO
konichiwa NATO
The highest-ranking uniformed officer in Japan's Self-Defense Forces will attend a NATO Military Chiefs of Defense meeting for the first time Thursday,

[myownwebsite]

Maybe they should be neutral. Or join NATO on paper only, with no weapons, just training defense

[tychodragon]

time to start picking sides before midnight

[stevenwalters]

18 comments but only able to read 6. Censored much

[danielnorman]

HAHAHAHA BRO.. the mellenials who don't know what they talking about saying that NATO needs Sweden for war, bro get the duck corrected

[Mukololon]

Great decision for Swedia and Findlandia...

[tsad]

Love how the peace protester has “read up” and NATO, then proceeds to completely misrepresent it.

[harryshuman]

Just cut the wood, gas, oil, metal exports to Europe.

Done.

[rixxy]

I don't think any of them actually wanted to join NATO, but when people saw what happened to Ukraine they started thinking twice. It's not 100% agreed anyways.

[sirgalahad]

The thing is, Finland has one of the most competent armies in Europe, so joining NATO doesn't benefit them as much as say a Moldova or a Georgia. Finland should already be able to solo Russia and would get plenty of support from the EU if a conflict ever broke out. So the move to join NATO just brings more harm than good overall as hardly anything is gained for the Finns themselves.

[--]

That's the most well spoken thoughtful protester I've ever heard.

[ОооРрр-хс]

Good and smart decision, long lives for Finland and Sweden, without threats of raSSian fascism

[mikefitz]

That girl at the end dropping facts… even though her and her crew seem like some weirdos

[nathandennis]

Finland is still subject to a treaty that imposed neutrality after a war with Russia. Violation of that treaty will result in Finland not being a nation

[orcsunited]

Damn it, said Russians. We will have to dedicate 8 nukes for Sweden and Finland (all it will take to destroy them) We had a deal to sell them for 4000 rubles and have some over-night fiesta

[nathandennis]

Russia will have the right under current treaties to take absolute control over Finland if it aligns itself with another nation.

[annamonastyrska]

I'm laughing my pants out at the woman dressed in Ukrainian flag colors talking utter nonsense!