When Moscow conducts a post Ukraine war review, it will have to include on the list of failures the expansion of NATO and the entry of new countries, which until now chose to remain outside the alliance. Finland, which has already announced its desire to join, and Sweden, whose ruling party has declared its desire to follow suit, have until now maintained a kind of political neutrality due to their geostrategic proximity to Russia. To be sure, they both joined the Partnership for Peace framework established by NATO in 1994 to allow countries eager for cooperation with the organization in a less binding framework and to the extent that each chooses. This framework was also joined by about 15 countries that do want full membership in NATO, but the organization is reluctant to have them join, mainly for political reasons. Ukraine is the prominent example of this group.
The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO has political and security importance. It sharpens the ideological confrontation with Russia, and in light of China's responses, the confrontation with this power is also sharpened, which is concerned about the expansion of the US-led North Atlantic Alliance. Finland's entry into NATO, along with other countries in the area that Russia and China see as in their spheres of influence, and NATO's attached commitment to help any attacked member, will confront these two countries with serious dilemmas in the future.
In conclusion, the process of Finland (and Sweden) joining NATO may take several months, and is mainly a formal act. The interesting part will be the internal discussion within the organization that will have to deal with Moscow's threats in escalating the conflict, if new countries are indeed added to the alliance.
When Moscow conducts a post Ukraine war review, it will have to include on the list of failures the expansion of NATO and the entry of new countries, which until now chose to remain outside the alliance. Finland, which has already announced its desire to join, and Sweden, whose ruling party has declared its desire to follow suit, have until now maintained a kind of political neutrality due to their geostrategic proximity to Russia. To be sure, they both joined the Partnership for Peace framework established by NATO in 1994 to allow countries eager for cooperation with the organization in a less binding framework and to the extent that each chooses. This framework was also joined by about 15 countries that do want full membership in NATO, but the organization is reluctant to have them join, mainly for political reasons. Ukraine is the prominent example of this group.
The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO has political and security importance. It sharpens the ideological confrontation with Russia, and in light of China's responses, the confrontation with this power is also sharpened, which is concerned about the expansion of the US-led North Atlantic Alliance. Finland's entry into NATO, along with other countries in the area that Russia and China see as in their spheres of influence, and NATO's attached commitment to help any attacked member, will confront these two countries with serious dilemmas in the future.
In conclusion, the process of Finland (and Sweden) joining NATO may take several months, and is mainly a formal act. The interesting part will be the internal discussion within the organization that will have to deal with Moscow's threats in escalating the conflict, if new countries are indeed added to the alliance.