Ukraine war is spurring Finland, Sweden to consider joining NATO
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Russian President Vladimir PutinNATO’s deterrent campaign against Ukraine has indirectly boosted its popularity with other potential member countries.
Russia is intensifying its attack on neighbor Finland, and Sweden is rethinking long-held positions of military neutrality. A majority of voters are now in favor of joining the 30 member alliance.
Opinion polls on Friday showed that half of Swedes (51%) and 48% (Finns) said they support NATO membership, while one-quarter of those polled opposed it. An earlier pollAlso, the February survey indicated that majority support was also from Finland.
CNBC interviewed Finn’s former prime Minister Monday to discuss the results of the Finnish recent poll. He said it represents a “reversal in public opinion” that reflects the current “rational fear”.
“[It’s]Russia is an aggressor and a superpower. Alexander Stubb spoke on CNBC’s Street Signs Europe about his fear of Russia as an aggressor and military power.
It is a complex task
Potential NATO member countries can apply for membership by fulfilling certain economic and political requirements. Then, existing members will vote on their eventual admission.
But, it is not likely that the Nordic countries will join in a quick or simple manner.
We don’t want to bring the conflict or war to the Northeastern Europe.
Alexander Stubb
European University Institute, professor and director
Putin views NATO’s refusal of Ukraine to join the alliance as a form of military aggression. He lists it among his preconditions for stopping his current offensive. Admitting Finland — which shares a 1,300 kilometer land border with Russia, the European Union’s largest — or Sweden would likely be met with similar resistance.
In fact, Russia’s Defense Minister has stated that such actions would have military consequences. Already, Russian warplanes have reportedly been intruding into Swedish airspace.
Getty Images| BBC News & Current Affairs | Getty Images
Finland and Sweden have not yet shown any signs that they will test the resolve.
Peter Hultqvist (Sweden’s Defense Minister) told reporters last week it was not changing its position overnight, despite strengthening its NATO collaboration. This statement was based on only opinion polls.
Stubb served as a NATO member from 2014-2015.
Stubb is currently the director of transnational governance and a professor at the European University Institute.
The shift in public mood for the two countries that had previously been in good relations with Russia is historic. It also marks another miscalculation by Putin in his war.
Stubb said, “I think that as the war drags on, day-by-day, support for Finnish NATO member will rise.”
“The train is leaving the station,” he said.
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