Robin Emmott

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – NATO allies anticipate Finland and Sweden will apply for membership in the next days. They are expected to grant membership fast, five diplomats said. The sudden rethinking of European security following Russia’s invasion and occupation of Ukraine has prompted five officials and diplomats to speak out.

The allies will provide a greater troop presence and more naval patrols in Baltic Sea during their one-year membership ratification, they stated. They also plan to hold military exercises and other maritime drills throughout the region.

The collective defense clause of NATO would be ineffective for Finland and Sweden. This is because an attack against one ally can lead to an attack upon all. However, the agreement will not become effective until all the 30 members have ratified it.

Norway, Denmark, and three Baltic countries are NATO members in the Nordic region.

Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto will make his position known on Thursday. This will serve as an official announcement of Helsinki’s membership decision.

The ruling Social Democrats in Sweden are set to vote on Sunday whether they will overturn the decades-old opposition to NATO membership. On Friday, the all-party Swedish parliament will hold a parallel review of security policies.

One senior diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to say that they would apply for membership and were granted it.

‘BLESSED MOMENT’

“If not now then when?” A second diplomat said that Russia had invaded Ukraine on February 24, and also pointed out the fact that Moscow must send so many troops to its south to “specially disarm” it.

Another NATO diplomat agreed: “It’s a blessed time.” Russia doesn’t have the ability to threaten (the Nordic states).

Moscow may announce, however, that it has moved missiles and weapons of war closer to the border with Finland according to envoys.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson declined to comment Wednesday on Russia’s reaction.

He said, “Officially, we pay attention to everything connected to actions that could somehow change the structure of the alliance close by our borders.” This subject deserves careful examination. “For now, there is not much more to say.”

Boris Johnson of the British Prime Minister visited Sweden and Finland this Wednesday.

Johnson reiterated, however, that NATO is not a military alliance.

Russia strongly disapproves of NATO’s expansion and views it as a direct threat its security. The issue has been cited by Russia as the reason it took action in Ukraine. Ukraine also hopes to become a member of NATO one day.

Sweden sought assurances from the U.S. that Washington would protect its security against Russian retaliation. The U.S. ambassador to NATO did not respond directly.

Jeff Adler spoke for the U.S. Mission in NATO. He stated that “we are confident we can find ways to address any concerns either nation may have regarding the time period between NATO membership applications and potential accession to NATO.”

Diplomats and officials from the Alliance stated that Sweden’s and Finland’s membership applications were certain to be granted at or prior to the NATO Summit in Madrid, June 28-30.

The exact timeframe is not known. A NATO official stated that they will not be waiting for Madrid’s summit to approve sooner.

Some diplomats believed that Finland and Sweden would submit their applications for membership weeks before the Madrid summit. This will allow approval for the summit at which all the allied leaders, U.S. President Joe Biden included, to take place.

It would also be filled with symbolism and significance for NATO. The first wave of NATO’s Eastern expansion was initiated in 1997 at a Madrid allied summit.