Finland and Sweden will join NATO in the context of war in Ukraine?

Finland and Sweden are likely to join NATO in the next few weeks, however Russia has issued a warning about any potential members.

The Nordic countries are said to be backing joining the US-led desertion coalition after the start of the war in Ukraine.

Russia, which has previously talked about the “security concerns” that NATO expansion would cause for the country, has reiterated its stance.

Here’s everything you need to know about Finland and Sweden’s pro-NATO membership.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin have both voiced their desire to join NATO.

Ms. Marin said that Finland and Sweden will decide to take the first steps towards membership “quite quickly, in a matter of weeks, not months”, adding that the situation in Ukraine has “changed”. everything” and Finland should “prepare for all kinds of actions from Russia”.

“The difference between being a partner and being a member is clear, and will remain so,” she said. There is no other way to secure security than under Nato containment and the common defense as guaranteed by Article 5 of the alliance.

Both countries want to participate due to the threat posed by Russia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

During a joint press conference between the two countries, Ms. Andersson added: “Yes before and after February 24.

“This is a very important moment in history. The security landscape has completely changed. We have to analyze the situation to see what is best for Sweden’s security, for the Swedish people, in this new situation.”

Polls in Finland and Sweden now show public support for group membership.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto has said that it would be “helpful” for the two countries to submit an application to NATO in a joint bid, but revealed that there is currently no fixed date for the submission.

The US is among those backing both nations to join the defense alliance.

Finaldn and Sweden have both voiced concerns about Russian retaliation during a “gray period” between applying and being granted membership.

Any country’s application to join NATO must be approved by all 30 members of the bloc.

States typically wait four months to a year until their membership is confirmed after the initial application, and are only guaranteed collective secrecy under Article 5 after membership has been achieved.

However, the US has said that it is “ready to provide various forms of security guarantees” during this adoption period, according to Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde after a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, due to Russia’s potential threat in the Nordic bloc.

Russia went on to warn that any expansion of NATO would be viewed by the Kremlin as hostile.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the group “remains a tool geared towards confrontation” and warned it could destabilize European security.

It has previously criticized the alliance’s planned expansion eastward into Ukraine, with Russia citing this as the main reason why troops were deployed along the border and ultimately invaded the country. .

The Kremlin may be particularly worried about Finland joining NATO, as it shares an 830-mile border with the country.

There are currently 30 members of the NATO defense alliance, founded in 1949.

This includes the 12 founding members of the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal.

Greece, Turkey, Spain, Germany (later West Germany and East Germany) joined the union for several decades.

Since 1997, there has been a major expansion of NATO into Eastern Europe.

Participating countries over the past 25 years include:

Georgia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Ukraine are currently classified by NATO as ‘ambitious members’.