The nations of the European Union, Finland and Sweden, reached milestones on Wednesday on their way to possible NATO membership as the Finnish government issued a security report to lawmakers and Sweden’s ruling party launched a review of security policy options. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 sparked increased support for NATO membership in the two traditionally non-aligned Nordic countries, with opinion polls showing a majority of those willing to join the alliance in Finland and NATO. clearly surpass them. against the idea. Finland, a country of 5.5 million people, shares the EU’s longest border with Russia, a 1,340-kilometer (833-mile) border. Sweden has no borders with Russia. Russia, for its part, has warned Sweden and Finland not to join NATO, with officials saying it would not contribute to stability in Europe. Officials said Russia would respond to such a move with retaliation that would have “military and political consequences” for Helsinki and Stockholm. One of the reasons given by Russian President Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine was that the country refused to promise not to join NATO. Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin, speaking Wednesday in Stockholm at a joint news conference with Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson, said Finland was ready to make a decision on NATO “within weeks” and not months after an extensive debate. in the 200-seat Eduskunta legislature. . Marin stressed that Finland and Sweden, two neighboring Nordic countries with close economic, political and military ties, would make independent decisions on security policy arrangements, including whether to join NATO. “But we are doing this with a clear understanding that our choices will affect not only ourselves but also our neighbors,” Marin said, adding that she would prefer to see both Finland and Sweden join NATO. Anderson said Sweden and Finland would maintain “a very close dialogue and have very direct and honest discussions” in the coming weeks on their respective NATO options. The only real option for NATO membership could be enhanced bilateral military co-operation to be added with the United States and Scandinavian NATO member Norway, Finnish experts said. Marin and Anderson lead the ruling Social Democrats in their respective countries. The parties are expected to announce their views on NATO in early and late May, respectively. Parliaments in both countries are ready to finally decide – something that could happen in Finland in late May and a little later in Sweden. Complicating matters in Sweden is the general election in September, which is likely to be dominated by the NATO issue. In Finland, President Sauli Niinisto said he was convinced his country’s decision on NATO would be ready long before the NATO summit on June 29-30 in Madrid, Spain. On Wednesday, the Finnish government issued a long-awaited report on changes in Finland’s security environment, which lawmakers will begin discussing after the Easter holidays. The report examines the pros and cons of Finland’s possible NATO membership, focusing on supply threats, economic impact, cyber security and hybrid threats. “The war started by Russia endangers security and stability throughout Europe,” said Finnish Foreign Minister Peka Haavisto, presenting the report. “Russia’s attack on Ukraine will have a long-term impact on our security environment. “Confidence in Russia has plummeted.” Anderson said Wednesday that the Swedish government is working on a security analysis with all parties in the Riksdag’s 349-seat legislature. He said the report is expected on May 31, but could be completed earlier. In addition, Anderson’s Social Democratic Party has launched its own separate review of Sweden’s security environment. The Morning and Afternoon Newsletters are compiled by Globe editors, giving you a brief overview of the day’s most important headlines. Register today.
