NATO

It's a historic move for the Nordic countries, which are known for their policies of military neutrality.

Finland and Sweden have both been reviewing their security policies following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which showed the Kremlin is willing to attack a neighboring nation. Last week, Russia's foreign ministry said Finland joining NATO would be a "radical change" in the country's foreign policy. Finland shares an 830-mile border with Russia; if it joins the military alliance, the land border that Russia shares with NATO territories would roughly double. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has deteriorated the security situation for Sweden and Europe as a whole," Ann Linde, Sweden's foreign affairs minister, said on Twitter. Marin said Finland has been in close contact with NATO and its members over the decision. - Finland shares an 830-mile border with Russia; if it joins the military alliance, the land border that Russia shares with NATO territories would roughly double.

Finland changed its policy toward the military alliance after troops invaded Ukraine. Sweden has avoided all military alliances, but like Finland, ...

But the invasion changed Kaipia's mind. "I always thought myself being a pacifist, and NATO for me was part of the militarization of the world," said Jouni Kaipia, an architect and a photographer, after attending a rally in Helsinki to support Ukraine. HELSINKI, Finland – The leaders of Finland and Sweden have announced that they back their countries applying to join NATO in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

BERLIN — Finland's government declared a “new era” is underway as it inches closer to seeking NATO membership, hours before Sweden's governing party on ...

Stoltenberg said he was confident the accession process for Finland and Sweden could be expedited. But he was optimistic that all NATO members would support bids from Finland and Sweden. Turkey has also been infuriated by U.S. support for PKK-linked Syrian Kurdish militants to fight the Islamic State group. A formal membership application will then be submitted to NATO headquarters in Brussels, most likely at some point next week. Russia is not achieving its strategic objectives.” “Finnish membership in NATO will be good for Finland, good for the Nordic region, and good for NATO. Finland has Norway’s full support,” Huitfeldt said in comments emailed to The Associated Press. “It’s not because we are against the expansion of NATO but because we believe countries who support terror and follow such policies against us should not be NATO allies,” Çavuşoğlu said. “We are now seeing unprecedented unity in NATO. With the Finnish membership, we will further strengthen the Nordic flank of the military alliance,” Huitfeldt said. Huitfeldt said the Norwegian government would facilitate “a swift consent to ratification by the Norwegian Parliament” for Finland’s accession into NATO. “Ukraine can win this war,” he said, adding that NATO must continue to step up its military support to the country. “Russia’s war in Ukraine is not going as Moscow had planned,” Stoltenberg said by video link to the NATO meeting in Berlin as he recovers from a COVID-19 infection.” “They failed to take Kyiv. They are pulling back from around Kharkiv. Their major offensive in Donbas has stalled. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Sunday the process for Finland and Sweden to join could be very quick.

The move changes decades of Finnish policy toward the Cold War-era military alliance. It is also a big blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who sent troops ...

You may click on “Your Choices” below to learn about and use cookie management tools to limit use of cookies when you visit NPR’s sites. If you click “Agree and Continue” below, you acknowledge that your cookie choices in those tools will be respected and that you otherwise agree to the use of cookies on NPR’s sites. NPR’s sites use cookies, similar tracking and storage technologies, and information about the device you use to access our sites (together, “cookies”) to enhance your viewing, listening and user experience, personalize content, personalize messages from NPR’s sponsors, provide social media features, and analyze NPR’s traffic.

The Finnish Parliament is expected to endorse the decision in the coming days. A formal membership application will then be submitted to NATO headquarters ...

Officials there expressed strong support for Ukraine and warned that Russia’s blockade of grain exports from Ukrainian ports risks stoking a global food crisis. But he voiced confidence that all NATO members would support the bids. Stoltenberg said he was confident the accession process for Finland and Sweden could be expedited in the existing member states. Turkey has also been infuriated by U.S. support for PKK-linked Syrian Kurdish militants to fight the Islamic State group. A formal membership application will then be submitted to NATO headquarters in Brussels, most likely at some point next week. Russia is not achieving its strategic objectives.” “We see now a world where the enemy of democracy number one is Putin and the thinking that he represents,” Kofod said, adding that NATO would also stand with other countries, such as Georgia, which he said were being “instrumentalized” by Russia. “I heard almost across the board, very strong support for Finland and Sweden joining the alliance, if that’s what they choose to do, and I’m very confident that we will reach consensus,” he said after the meeting in Berlin. “Finnish membership in NATO will be good for Finland, good for the Nordic region, and good for NATO. Finland has Norway’s full support,” Huitfeldt said in comments emailed to The Associated Press. “It’s not because we are against the expansion of NATO but because we believe countries who support terror and follow such policies against us should not be NATO allies,” Çavuşoğlu said. Huitfeldt said the Norwegian government would facilitate “a swift consent to ratification by the Norwegian Parliament” for Finland’s accession into NATO. The announcement came as top diplomats from the 30 NATO member states met in Berlin to discuss providing further support to Ukraine and moves by Finland, Sweden and others to join NATO in the face of threats from Russia.

Finland, which shares a border with Russia, changed its policy toward the military alliance after troops invaded Ukraine.

You may click on “Your Choices” below to learn about and use cookie management tools to limit use of cookies when you visit NPR’s sites. If you click “Agree and Continue” below, you acknowledge that your cookie choices in those tools will be respected and that you otherwise agree to the use of cookies on NPR’s sites. NPR’s sites use cookies, similar tracking and storage technologies, and information about the device you use to access our sites (together, “cookies”) to enhance your viewing, listening and user experience, personalize content, personalize messages from NPR’s sponsors, provide social media features, and analyze NPR’s traffic.

The announcement came as NATO foreign ministers, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, met in Berlin to discuss Ukraine, and Finland and ...

The State Department said Blinken discussed “details regarding the latest tranche of U.S. security assistance to bolster Ukraine’s defenses” and potential solutions to exporting Ukraine’s grain to international markets. “We agreed to work closely together to ensure that Ukrainian food exports reach consumers in Africa and Asia.” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized the countries as “home to many terrorist organizations.” Germany is prepared to do everything it can for a “quick ratification process,” she added. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was “very confident” that NATO would reach consensus on admitting Sweden and Finland to the military alliance. “Turkey has made it clear: Their intention is not to block membership. In Finland, the war in Ukraine has resurfaced memories of its own military history with Moscow, notably the Soviet Union’s 1939 invasion in what became known as the “Winter War.” Then, vastly outgunned Finnish forces inflicted heavy losses on Soviet troops, using molotov cocktails to destroy advancing tanks. The report will be submitted to Parliament on Monday. Instead of a rollback, the Russian invasion appears to be producing further expansion, right on Russia’s roughly 800-mile border with Finland. NATO is a “collective self-defense” alliance, binding member countries to come to the aid of any other NATO nation under assault. “Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is not only illegal and indefensible, it also undermines the European security order,” Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde said. “We’re now facing a fundamentally changed security environment in Europe,” Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said.

Speaking after top diplomats from the alliance's 30 member states met in Berlin, Stoltenberg also expressed his hope that Ukraine could win the war as Russian ...

But he was optimistic that all NATO members would support bids from Finland and Sweden. Stoltenberg said he was confident the accession process for Finland and Sweden could be expedited. Turkey has also been infuriated by U.S. support for PKK-linked Syrian Kurdish militants to fight the Islamic State group. A formal membership application will then be submitted to NATO headquarters in Brussels, most likely at some point next week. Both countries fought a brief war in 2008 over Georgia’s breakaway region of South Ossetia. Russia is not achieving its strategic objectives.” Nonetheless, Turkey’s raising of its grievances has led to concerns in Washington and Brussels that other NATO members might also use the admission process as a way to wring concessions from allies, possibly complicating and delaying accession. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told reporters in Berlin that Finland and Sweden had also imposed restrictions on defense sales to Turkey that he called “unacceptable.” In the meantime, the alliance would increase its presence in the Baltic region to deter Russian threats, he said. “Ukraine can win this war,” he said, adding that NATO must continue to step up its military support to the country. “Russia’s war in Ukraine is not going as Moscow had planned,” Stoltenberg said by video link to the NATO meeting in Berlin as he recovers from a COVID-19 infection.” “They failed to take Kyiv. They are pulling back from around Kharkiv. Their major offensive in Donbas has stalled. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Sunday the process for Finland and Sweden to join could be very quick.

Good morning. Finland, Sweden closer to NATO membership, Germany plans to stop Russian oil imports, EU is facing an economic storm and tenants return to London.

NATO members rallied around Finland and Sweden after they announced plans to join the alliance, marking another dramatic change in Europe’s security architecture triggered by Russia’s war in Ukraine. Gathering in Berlin over the weekend, most NATO foreign ministers embraced the bloc’s northern enlargement, a process that requires unanimity among the 30 allies. The one country to voice concerns was Turkey, unhappy that Finland and Sweden have had relations with Kurdish militants who have been active in eastern Turkey. Governments in Helsinki and Stockholm are set to deliver their formal applications at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels later in the week once their respective parliaments have signed off. Finland, Sweden closer to NATO membership, Germany plans to stop Russian oil imports, EU is facing an economic storm and tenants return to London. Here’s what people are watching.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey is not “favorable” toward Finland and Sweden joining NATO, but he has not ruled it out.

Moscow tells Nordic pair there will be 'far-reaching consequences' as both parliaments begin debating issue.

Nato and the US have both said they were confident Turkey would not hold up Sweden’s accession. While 85% of Finland’s 200 MPs back membership, 150 have requested to speak and a vote was not expected on Monday. “I’m confident we will be able to address the concerns Turkey has expressed in a way that doesn’t delay the membership,” Stoltenberg said on Sunday. “Our goal is to be amongst the first countries to be able to ratify the accession of Sweden and Finland, because we know that the interim period between the accession demand and the ratification must be shortened,” she said. She added: “Unfortunately, we have no reason to believe the current trend [of Russia’s actions] will be reversed in the foreseeable future.” A formal Swedish government decision to join the alliance is expected later on Monday. Ryabkov added that the two Nordic nations “should have no illusions that we will simply put up with it”, warning that the move was “another grave mistake with far-reaching consequences” and the “general level of military tension will increase”.

With Finland and Sweden both announcing their bids to join the Western military alliance NATO on Sunday, all eyes are on how Russia will react.

It will depend on what, in practical terms, will be the result of the expected accession of Finland and Sweden to the alliance. Russia has justified its invasion of Ukraine in large part on the false premise that NATO is fighting a proxy war against it, in Ukraine. Russia still holds a powerful card in this area because it has traditionally accounted for around 40% of the EU's gas imports. "Of course there will continue to be airspace violations, just like there are over other NATO countries, but we're a defensive alliance and we're going to react coolly and professionally. With Sweden and Finland's latest move to join NATO, experts believe the alliance should prepare itself for more provocations from Russia. Russian provocations of NATO are nothing new.

On Tuesday, 17 May 2022, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will participate in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) of the ...

On Tuesday, 17 May 2022, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will participate in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union (EU). On Tuesday, 17 May 2022, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will participate in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) of the European Union (EU). NATO Secretary General to participate in a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council

Finland changed its policy toward the military alliance after troops invaded Ukraine. Sweden has avoided all military alliances, but like Finland, ...

You may click on “Your Choices” below to learn about and use cookie management tools to limit use of cookies when you visit NPR’s sites. If you click “Agree and Continue” below, you acknowledge that your cookie choices in those tools will be respected and that you otherwise agree to the use of cookies on NPR’s sites. NPR’s sites use cookies, similar tracking and storage technologies, and information about the device you use to access our sites (together, “cookies”) to enhance your viewing, listening and user experience, personalize content, personalize messages from NPR’s sponsors, provide social media features, and analyze NPR’s traffic.

The two Nordic nations had long kept the military alliance at an arm's length, even while eying Russia to their east with caution. But Moscow's assault on ...

He added that Russia's reaction would depend on "how far and how close to our borders the military infrastructure will move." Russia currently shares about 755 miles of land border with five NATO members, according to the alliance. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, public support for joining NATO in Finland has leaped from around 30% to nearly 80% in some polls. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that "NATO expansion does not make the world more stable and secure" after the announcement. , Russia attempted to demand security guarantees from NATO that the alliance stop expanding eastward. The term was coined during the Cold War and has been applied to other countries in which a superpower exerts control over smaller neighboring states. "There's going to be preparations for contingencies as part of deterring any adventures that the Russians might be thinking of," Bildt said. While an independent nation, Sweden's geography puts it in the same "strategic environment" as its liberal democratic neighbors, Bildt said. The point of the treaty, and Article 5 specifically, was to deter the Soviets from attacking liberal democracies that lacked military strength. Article 5 guarantees that the resources of the whole alliance -- including the massive US military -- can be used to protect any single member nation, such as smaller countries who would be defenseless without their allies. Former Swedish leader Carl Bildt told CNN he doesn't see new big military bases being built in either country should they join NATO. He said that joining the alliance would likely mean more joint military training and planning between Finland, Sweden and NATO's 30 current members. But NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attempted to allay concerns about Turkey's stance, saying Sunday the country "has made it clear that their intention is not to block membership."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already made clear that there would be consequences if the two Nordic countries join. So it's important for NATO to bring ...

If yes, a small ceremony is held giving a symbolic and legal form to this part of the membership process. The candidate is asked to commit to uphold Article 5 — NATO’s collective defense clause guaranteeing that an attack on any one ally would be met with a response from them all. This depends on how well aligned the candidate countries are with NATO’s political, military and legal standards, and whether they contribute to security in the North Atlantic area. At the same time, the candidate sends a letter, usually from a foreign minister, confirming that their country accepts all these obligations. If the NAC gives a green light, accession talks are held. The NAC decides whether to move toward membership and what steps must be taken to achieve it.

Sweden's Prime Minister said she sees “a historic change in our country's security policy line” as the country eyes NATO membership.

They made a surprise stop Saturday in Ukraine’s capital to express solidarity in the fight against the Kremlin. “The goal of the United States is to do it as rapidly as possible,” McConnell said. Not unanimous, but very significant,” the longtime NATO supporter said. The Scandinavian country has no nuclear weapons of its own. “Sweden is best defended within NATO,” Andersson said. In Helsinki, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that there is “very significant” support in the Congress and he expects swift ratification, adding that the two Nordic countries will “bring a great deal to the NATO alliance.”

Sweden has decided to follow neighboring Finland and apply for NATO membership because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

After being firmly against NATO membership for decades, public opinion in both countries shifted following Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, with record levels of support for joining the alliance. “They thought they could scare Sweden and Finland and drive a wedge between us and our neighbors and allies. “We cannot rule out that Sweden will be exposed to, for instance, disinformation and attempts to intimidate and divide us.” During a visit to Helsinki on Monday, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said that there is “very significant” support in Congress for welcoming Finland and Sweden to the alliance and that he expects ratification before the August recess. Speaking to a Russian-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states, Putin said Moscow “does not have a problem” with Sweden or Finland as they apply for NATO membership, but that “the expansion of military infrastructure onto this territory will of course give rise to our reaction in response.” Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson warned that the Nordic country would be in a “vulnerable position” during the application period and urged her fellow citizens to brace themselves for the Russian response.

Sweden has decided to follow neighboring Finland and apply for NATO membership because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

After being firmly against NATO membership for decades, public opinion in both countries shifted following Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, with record levels of support for joining the alliance. “They thought they could scare Sweden and Finland and drive a wedge between us and our neighbors and allies. They no longer see themselves as neutral after joining the European Union in 1995, but have remained nonaligned militarily until now. “We cannot rule out that Sweden will be exposed to, for instance, disinformation and attempts to intimidate and divide us.” In a joint statement, Nordic NATO members Norway, Denmark and Iceland said they were ready to assist Finland and Sweden “with all necessary means” during the application process. Speaking to a Russian-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states, Putin said Moscow “does not have a problem” with Sweden or Finland as they apply for NATO membership, but that “the expansion of military infrastructure onto this territory will of course give rise to our reaction in response.”

Sweden has decided to follow neighboring Finland and apply for NATO membership because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

After being firmly against NATO membership for decades, public opinion in both countries shifted following Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, with record levels of support for joining the alliance. “They thought they could scare Sweden and Finland and drive a wedge between us and our neighbors and allies. They no longer see themselves as neutral after joining the European Union in 1995, but have remained nonaligned militarily until now. “We cannot rule out that Sweden will be exposed to, for instance, disinformation and attempts to intimidate and divide us.” In a joint statement, Nordic NATO members Norway, Denmark and Iceland said they were ready to assist Finland and Sweden “with all necessary means” during the application process. Speaking to a Russian-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states, Putin said Moscow “does not have a problem” with Sweden or Finland as they apply for NATO membership, but that “the expansion of military infrastructure onto this territory will of course give rise to our reaction in response.”

On Friday (13 May 2022), university students presented innovative solutions to real-life problems faced by Allied militaries as part of the “Hacking for ...

The teams were mentored and coached by experts from NATO and Allied operational and technology communities. Innovators tackled real-life problems including developing secure ways to share information on cyber threats during operations and making ships safer by leveraging Artificial Intelligence for damage control processes. University students from Allied and partner countries are contributing to a variety of projects and initiatives.

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a security alliance established in 1949 to counter soviet aggression in Europe during the Cold War. The ...

After being firmly against NATO membership for decades, public opinion in both countries shifted following Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, with record levels of support for joining the alliance. “They thought they could scare Sweden and Finland and drive a wedge between us and our neighbors and allies. They no longer see themselves as neutral after joining the European Union in 1995, but have remained nonaligned militarily until now. “We cannot rule out that Sweden will be exposed to, for instance, disinformation and attempts to intimidate and divide us.” “The Russian leadership thought they could bully Ukraine and deny them and other countries self-determination," Kristersson said. Speaking to a Russian-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states, Putin said Moscow “does not have a problem” with Sweden or Finland as they apply for NATO membership, but that “the expansion of military infrastructure onto this territory will of course give rise to our reaction in response."

Finland, which was invaded by Soviets in the 30s, seeks North Atlantic Treaty Organization membership amid Russia's Ukraine invasion, leaders said.

Soviets gained western Karelia and began construction of a Soviet naval base on the Hanko Peninsula. Sweden, a militarily neutral country for more than 200 years, is also considering NATO membership. “Finland’s accession to NATO will cause serious damage to bilateral Russian-Finnish relations,” the Russian foreign ministry wrote in a statement. One million Soviet troops attacked the heavily outnumbered Finns on several fronts. Despite the existence of a Soviet military base in Porkkala until 1955, Finland expressed a desire to remain neutral and maintain peace in a treaty with the Soviet Union, the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual assistance of 1948, according to NATO. The Nordic country shares an 830-mile border with Russia.

Sweden will follow neighboring Finland and apply for NATO membership because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

“Sweden needs formal security guarantees that come with membership in NATO.” Though NATO officials have expressed hopes for a quick ratification process, all 30 current NATO members must agree to let Finland and Sweden in the door. “The Swedish government’s intent is to apply for NATO membership. A historic day for Sweden,” Foreign Minister Ann Linde wrote on Twitter. “With a broad support from political parties in the parliament, the conclusion is that Sweden will stand stronger together with allies in NATO.” The move, which is likely to upset the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin, came after neighboring Finland announced Sunday that it too would seek to join the 30-country military alliance. STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden’s prime minister announced Monday that Sweden will join Finland in seeking NATO membership in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a historic shift that comes after more than 200 years of military nonalignment in the Nordic country.

Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced Monday that her government will formally apply to join NATO, paving the way for the Scandinavian ...

Finland's President Sauli Niinistö confirmed his country would apply for NATO membership on Sunday. - The partybecame dividedon the question of NATO membership as the war in Ukraine broke out, with some factions arguing that joining the alliance would undermine Sweden's commitment to nuclear disarmament and global peace. We can't rule out that Russia would then increase pressure on Sweden," she warned.

The Turkish president is unlikely to veto Nordic membership of NATO – but Turkey's bigger strategic worry is of a NATO-Russia conflict arising out of the ...

Senior Turkish officials are quietly concerned that the conflict is now turning into a NATO-Russia war and that the risk of escalation is growing, fuelled by greater arms support for Ukraine and the absence of a negotiations framework. Swedish foreign policy’s focus on human rights, gender equality, and diversity is almost anathema to the male-dominated, conservative political culture in Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party. Within the European Union, Swedes have championed a human rights-based approach in relations with Turkey – which has annoyed Ankara for years. For the past few years, Ankara has criticised NATO for failing to be a reciprocal love-match, a relationship that overlooks Turkey’s security concerns despites the country’s decades of loyalty to the alliance. Turkey views the US-allied Kurdish administration in northern Syria, dominated by the Syrian Democratic Forces, as an offshoot of the PKK and a threat on its southern border. It is unlikely that Erdogan had one specific policy goal in mind, but he will no doubt be expecting to be cajoled, persuaded, and eventually rewarded for his cooperation, as in the past. This was an obstacle in an otherwise well-choreographed Nordic march into NATO. Was Erdogan trying to put pressure on the US Congress for those F-16s that Ankara wants to purchase?

Sweden has decided to follow neighboring Finland and apply for NATO membership because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

After being firmly against NATO membership for decades, public opinion in both countries shifted following Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, with record levels of support for joining the alliance. “They thought they could scare Sweden and Finland and drive a wedge between us and our neighbors and allies. “We cannot rule out that Sweden will be exposed to, for instance, disinformation and attempts to intimidate and divide us.” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg over the weekend said “Turkey has made it clear that their intention is not to block membership.” They no longer see themselves as neutral after joining the European Union in 1995, but have remained nonaligned militarily until now. He accused the two countries of refusing to extradite “terrorists” wanted by his country. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan doubled down on comments last week indicating that the two Nordic countries´ path to NATO would be anything but smooth. “Are they coming to try and convince us? In a joint statement, Nordic NATO members Norway, Denmark and Iceland said they were ready to assist Finland and Sweden “with all necessary means” during the application process. During a visit to Helsinki on Monday, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said there is “very significant” support in Congress for welcoming Finland and Sweden to the alliance and that he expects ratification before the August recess. Speaking to a Russian-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states, Putin said Moscow “does not have a problem” with Sweden or Finland applying for NATO membership, but that “the expansion of military infrastructure onto this territory will, of course, give rise to our reaction in response.” Sweden decided Monday to seek NATO membership a day after the country’s governing Social Democratic party endorsed a plan for the country to join the trans-Atlantic alliance and Finland’s government announced that it would seek to join NATO.

A group of NATO allies have offered Finland and Sweden interim security guarantees after the two Nordic countries announced they intend to join the alliance ...

Norway, Denmark, and Iceland—all NATO members—issued a joint statement in support of Sweden and Finland’s decision, pledging to support the two countries’ rapid accession into the alliance and aid them against any possible retaliatory action. Norway, Denmark, and Iceland—all NATO members—issued a joint statement in support of Sweden and Finland’s decision, pledging to support the two countries’ rapid accession into the alliance and aid them against any possible retaliatory action. Once Helsinki and Stockholm have submitted their applications, the decision moves to the North Atlantic Council, the alliance’s principal decision-making body, for consideration. Finland’s and Sweden’s accession into the alliance is expected to move briskly. He also cited Sweden and Finland’s 2019 decision to put an arms embargo on Turkey over its incursion into Syria. Several European officials who spoke to Foreign Policy on condition of anonymity speculated that this could be a blunt negotiating feint from Erdogan, and they anticipated Turkey would ultimately support Finland and Sweden joining NATO after diplomatic negotiations. Other Russian officials have been less discreet, with the deputy chair of the Russian parliament’s defense committee warning that Moscow could strike the United Kingdom and Finland using its RS-28 Sarmat nuclear-capable hypersonic missile. Finland and Sweden, which have for decades adhered to a policy of military nonalignment, rapidly reversed their policies after Russia’s massive invasion of Ukraine in February sent shock waves throughout Europe. Several lawmakers who have opposed NATO expansion in the past, including Sens. Rand Paul and Mike Lee, could delay the Senate process, but adding both new members ultimately has widespread bipartisan support. “Finland and Sweden’s security is a matter of common concern to us all,” they said in the joint statement. Some Finnish officials believe Russia is too politically and militarily overstretched in Ukraine to focus on interrupting Finland’s path to NATO membership. Finland and Sweden, which have for decades adhered to a policy of military nonalignment, rapidly reversed their policies after Russia’s massive invasion of Ukraine in February sent shock waves throughout Europe. Last week, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also signed similar security agreements with both countries and vowed to back them in the event of a possible attack.

Just a few months ago, when Vladimir Putin was surrounding Ukraine with military forces, some suggested Finlandization as a way to stave off an invasion.

In 1995, both nations (along with Austria, the other bulwark of neutrality) joined the European Union. By that time, they had also joined the Partnership for Peace, a program devised by President Bill Clinton to help the former nations of the Soviet bloc—as well as neutral powers—integrate with the West through free markets and democratic institutions. Ever since the 1917 Revolution, Soviet (and now Russian) leaders have worried—all of them sincerely, often for good reason—about “encirclement” by their capitalist foes. Ivo Daalder, President Barack Obama’s first NATO ambassador, recalls that by the time he took office, in 2009, Finland and Sweden were both “very much up to snuff” on NATO standards and practices—one of the key qualifications that applicants must pass before gaining admission into the alliance. In November 1939, three months after the outbreak of World War II, the Soviet Union invaded Finland, mainly to keep St. Petersburg—then called Leningrad and a mere 20 miles from the Finnish border—secure. The Finns resisted for more than three months, fighting off Soviet tanks with ambush tactics (which some see as a precursor to Ukraine’s tactics today). The “ Winter War,” as it was called, ended with a treaty that gave Russia 10 percent of Finland’s land in exchange for assurances of Finnish territory. The fact that Finland and Sweden are about to join NATO is even more remarkable than many media accounts portray. Applying for NATO membership wasn’t on any Finnish or Swedish politicians’ to-do list before Feb. 24 of this year; nor did the idea entice a majority of their populations, as it very much does now.

Sweden has decided to follow neighboring Finland and apply for NATO membership because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

After being firmly against NATO membership for decades, public opinion in both countries shifted following Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, with record levels of support for joining the alliance. “They thought they could scare Sweden and Finland and drive a wedge between us and our neighbors and allies. “We cannot rule out that Sweden will be exposed to, for instance, disinformation and attempts to intimidate and divide us.” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg over the weekend said “Turkey has made it clear that their intention is not to block membership.” They no longer see themselves as neutral after joining the European Union in 1995, but have remained nonaligned militarily until now. He accused the two countries of refusing to extradite “terrorists” wanted by his country. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan doubled down on comments last week indicating that the two Nordic countries´ path to NATO would be anything but smooth. “Are they coming to try and convince us? In a joint statement, Nordic NATO members Norway, Denmark and Iceland said they were ready to assist Finland and Sweden “with all necessary means” during the application process. During a visit to Helsinki on Monday, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said there is “very significant” support in Congress for welcoming Finland and Sweden to the alliance and that he expects ratification before the August recess. Speaking to a Russian-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states, Putin said Moscow “does not have a problem” with Sweden or Finland applying for NATO membership, but that “the expansion of military infrastructure onto this territory will, of course, give rise to our reaction in response.” Sweden decided Monday to seek NATO membership a day after the country’s governing Social Democratic party endorsed a plan for the country to join the trans-Atlantic alliance and Finland’s government announced that it would seek to join NATO.

Russia may have a muted response to Finland and Sweden's decision to seek NATO membership despite earlier threats of retaliation, President Vladimir Putin ...

“Taking control of Ukraine is [an] essential part of the story.” The weapons: Ukraine is making use of weapons such as Javelin antitank missiles and Switchblade “kamikaze” drones, provided by the United States and other allies. “They may adjust their plans given the situation of the resources and other risks. “But there’s no discussion of posting troops in Sweden or Finland. We are really taking care of our own security as much as we can.” It’s a sovereign Swedish decision,” Karin Olofsdotter, Sweden’s ambassador to the United States, said in an interview. “So if others need help, I think it’s totally clear that Finland … is going to be there to help them.” But there’s a need to be prudent here,” he said. Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, Anna Malyar, said more than 260 soldiers have been transported to Russian-controlled territory, including 53 who were “seriously wounded” and taken to a hospital. “But the expansion of military infrastructure into this territory will certainly provoke our response.” Finland, like Sweden, has long conducted joint exercises with NATO and sent troops to NATO-led missions in Afghanistan and other areas. “We are leaving one era behind us and entering a new one,” Andersson said. Putin spoke as Sweden’s government on Monday announced it would join neighboring Finland in launching a NATO bid, a process that alliance officials hope will be concluded in coming months.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly pointed to NATO's post-Cold War enlargement as one of the many reasons for his invasion of Ukraine.

Why it matters: North Korea has a 0% vaccination rate and meager health facilities, and it was already struggling to feed its population. But the expansion of [the alliance's] military infrastructure to these territories will certainly evoke a response on our part." - In the months that followed, Ukraine and Georgia's vague assurances of membership dwindled. - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accepted that his country will not join NATO, at least in the current moment. - Why NATO formed and why Finland and Sweden want to join the alliance - Why NATO formed and why Finland and Sweden want to join the alliance Ukraine's hopes of joining NATO were then dashed in 2010 when Viktor Yanukovych was elected president. But Erdoğan has not said he will veto their membership. We can't rule out that Russia would then increase pressure on Sweden," she warned. - The Russian president last monthsaidthat NATO "in essence, is engaged in a war with Russia through a proxy and is arming that proxy." - Putin has warned Finland and Sweden NATO membership would be a "mistake." He latersaidthat "there is no direct threat to Russia in connection with NATO's expansion to these countries. - "Should Sweden be the only country in the Baltic Sea region that was not a member of NATO, we would be in a very vulnerable position.

Sweden will follow neighboring Finland and apply for NATO membership because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, ending more than 200 years of military ...

After being firmly against NATO membership for decades, public opinion in both countries shifted following Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, with record levels of support for joining the alliance. “They thought they could scare Sweden and Finland and drive a wedge between us and our neighbors and allies. Like Finland it remained neutral throughout the Cold War, but formed closer relations with NATO after the 1991 Soviet collapse. “We cannot rule out that Sweden will be exposed to, for instance, disinformation and attempts to intimidate and divide us.” Speaking to a Russian-led military alliance of six ex-Soviet states, Putin said Moscow “does not have a problem” with Sweden or Finland as they apply for NATO membership, but that “the expansion of military infrastructure onto this territory will of course give rise to our reaction in response.” Sweden’s move came a day after the governing Social Democratic party endorsed a plan for the country to join the trans-Atlantic alliance and after Finland’s government announced that it would seek to join NATO.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already made clear that there would be consequences if the two Nordic countries join. So it's important for NATO to bring ...

A recent Facebook post warns that World War III is looming "as Finland joins NATO." On May 15, Finland's prime minister.

Finland has not yet formally applied to join NATO, and Turkey could block its membership. It could then take around six months for member countries to ratify the accession protocol, NPR reported. But we are basically raising the issue as a matter of national security for Turkey."

President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that there was no threat to Russia if Sweden and Finland joined NATO but cautioned that Moscow would respond if the ...

The United States and NATO dispute that such assurances were given explicitly. "As to enlargement, Russia has no problem with these states - none. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Putin says the "special military operation" in Ukraine is necessary because the United States was using Ukraine to threaten Russia through NATO enlargement and Moscow had to defend against the persecution of Russian-speaking people. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

The cyber side of conflict has become a prominent topic in recent years, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made the discussion of this topic all the more ...

In order to do this, NATO must identify and prioritise infrastructure for protection, as well as criteria and policy for action. The dominance of the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, known in government as the FVEY, or Five-Eyes, highlights the urgent need for the alliance to develop policy addressing the collective defence of NATO members. The interconnectedness of European critical infrastructure, as illuminated by the Russian ViaSat communications attack impacting German wind power generation and distribution, highlights the requirement for NATO to address cyberspace as the critical domain it is. To fulfill this role in kinetic as well as non-kinetic realms, NATO must be prepared for hybrid forms of warfare and present slated to join the alliance a cohesive and tailored response to transgressions. Following the shortcomings of the 2015 United Nations Group of Governmental Experts report on information and telecommunications in the context of national security, a lack of consensus continues to exist on the severity of cyberspace operations targeting critical infrastructure requiring collective and even national responses. In light of developments such as these, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) should consider and create policy for collective cyber defence, and potentially offense, under Article 5 of the NATO Charter.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has prompted a major shift in public opinion in Finland and Sweden, with support for joining NATO recently surging in both ...

And, of course, the next president could question NATO. So do you believe that you have in the U.S. a reliable partner inside NATO in the future? Do you fear, though, that Russia would escalate before it seemed to lose? And we continue certainly to do so. I think it's basically consistent of — with what he said before many years ago. We are ramping up our missile defense, our air force, our marine, navy, and building submarines, et cetera. No, I mean, we are joining NATO as a full member, of course, with everything that that implies. Ambassador Olofsdotter, Vladimir Putin made comments today that some people found interesting. We are seeking contact with Turkey to discuss all the issues we have in front of us. But we think that NATO, as a defensive alliance, is definitely needed in this kind of a situation, with its own military capabilities. But the invasion of Ukraine has changed everything. Finland shares an 830-mile border with Russia. And, as recently as February, the government said it had no plans to join NATO. Nick Schifrin: