On Wednesday, Finland and Sweden formally applied to join NATO as the two nations are breaking from their policies of neutrality.
Sweden has been a neutral country since the early 1800s, and the policy kept the country out of the world wars, sparing it from being destroyed like most of Europe. Finland, which shares an over 800-mile border with Russia, has been neutral since the end of World War II.
The two countries decided together to scrap their non-alignment in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Nordic countries’ break from neutrality. “I warmly welcome the requests by Finland and Sweden to join NATO. You are our closest partners,” he said. “This is a historic moment, which we must seize.”
The two countries joining NATO and expanding the alliance further onto Russia’s border will significantly escalate tensions in the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this week that while Finland and Sweden joining NATO isn’t a “threat” to Russia since it has no problems with the nations, he said Moscow would have to respond if NATO military infrastructure is expanded.
While Stoltenberg and most NATO countries have said they expect a swift application process, Turkey objects to Finland and Sweden joining and blocked the alliance from holding early talks on their membership.
Ankara wants Helsinki and Stockholm to lift export controls it imposed on Turkey and to denounce the PKK, a Kurdish group Ankara considers a terrorist organization. Stoltenberg didn’t appear too concerned over Turkey’s objection and said NATO allies “are determined to work through all issues and reach rapid conclusions.”
Greedy politicians looking to jump on the obama / Biden money train.
Your citizens might not like becoming ground zero for missiles but what the heck.
Goes back further than that.
Russian missile systems have new bulls eyes.
Russia and China were busy with upping their game while U.S. & NATO were chasing nomads in the desert and fell a DECADE behind in the tools of deterrence, and modern war & squandered a few trillion in the process. Neocons dreamed the GWOT would make America stronger. But what it did was distract and weaken them. It has humbled American deterrence punctuated by their middle of the night ignoble route from Afghanistan. If that is what they did there, what would they do against Russia and China…???? Its gone past absurd to comical as Biden and crew continue to bait China. How stupid do they think China is..???
I thought Finnish and Swedish people are smarter and more wise than the rest of Europe, but now I am proven wrong as they can be easily brainwashed by their media…!
WHEN THE RATS FALL OVERBOARD THEY MOSTLY NEVER SWIM TO A SINKING SHIP….
If their countries are accepted, the Finns and Swedes will soon have to annually cough up 4% of the GDP’s.
Finland/Sweden: it matters but not significantly. Paraphrasing Russian administration (United Russia Party) – Ukraine is culturally significant including the amount of Russia Speakers in it. Russia hasn’t been at war with Finland for over 100 years, so not same.
“Russia hasn’t been at war with Finland for over 100 years, so not same.”
82 years, actually.
Apparently 3 months long (say s they where smart enough to shift). We see the predictable from escalation.1) IThe World Food Programe is asking Russia shipping access & their deputy foreign minister is pointing out sanctions need to allow access to fertilizer & Russian food exports. The G20 nations suffer for the G7/G8 games from the Obama Administration hioldovers. We need to congradulate Austria for remaining neutral, as Adolf was from Austria as Stalin was from Georgia, the Biden half-truths of ‘defending Democracy’ is just a slogan as they press-gang 50-60 year old males.Escalation means everything goes down hill.
Finland and Sweden have decided there isn’t much purpose or benefit from being neutral?…. Well, have some warm tea and biscuits before the bullets start flying…
Remember, NATO will want its pound of flesh… (Is it just me? Or does Stoltenberg sound a bit less than sincere?… When Stoltenberg smiles, there are electric missiles in his eyes…)
Stop the bus, I want to get off……………………………..
Oh and Turkey can just ‘suck on it’………………………
Turkey’s motives might suck but any wrench in the machinery is a good thing.
WRU:
In that comment I was speaking as NATO… 😉
Ah, thanks for the clarification. Changes everything.