The step, following weeks of tensions and alerts for new military movements that can destabilize Europe, took place this Wednesday. The ambassadors of Sweden and Finland submitted to NATO their formal applications to join that transatlantic military alliance.
The Finnish diplomat Klaus Korhonen and the Swedish Axel Wernhoff delivered in Brussels to the Allied Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, the requests of their countries and, immediately followingwards, Stoltenberg highlighted the importance of this step for the entire region and described it as “historic”. .
“Every nation has the right to choose its own path. Both made an election following rigorous democratic processes and I warmly welcome the applications of Finland and Sweden to join NATO”, he specified in a brief public act.
He stressed that Helsinki (capital of Finland) and Stockholm (Swedish capital) are “the closest partners” of the Alliance, adding that the entry of both into the organization “will increase our shared security.”
“Allies will now consider the next steps on their way to NATO. The security interests of all allies have to be taken into account and we are determined to solve all problems and reach quick conclusions”, Stoltenberg emphasized.
But Turkey, a member of NATO, has expressed its opposition to the entry of Sweden and Finland because it considers that both countries maintain a policy of welcoming Kurdish militants, enemies of the Turkish ruling party.
This aspect is key, since the entry of new members is a decision made by the countries of the transatlantic organization unanimously, so Ankara’s approval is needed.
In any case, the United States assured that it feels confident that Turkey can finally give the green light to the entry of the two Nordic countries.
And it is for this very reason that Stoltenberg recalled that in recent days there have been announcements from NATO members who have committed themselves to protecting the security of Finland and Sweden.
These announcements respond to the concern regarding a hypothetical attack by Russia once morest these countries in the period from when they ask to join NATO until they become full members; and take as an example what happened with Ukraine since last February.
They guarantee security
“NATO is already vigilant in the Baltic Sea region and its and allied forces will continue to adapt as needed. All allies agree on the importance of NATO enlargement. We agree that we must stay together,” Stoltenberg said.
This whole process had generated a harsh rejection from the Kremlin, who, although he wanted to downplay it, did not lower it from being a warning that deserves analysis for its national security.
In fact, Russia threatened Sweden with “military-technical” measures – just as it did with Finland – if this step of applying for formal NATO membership was taken.
“Russia will be forced to adopt both military-technical and other response measures in order to counter emerging threats to its security,” Russian diplomacy warned.
Moscow stressed that the choice of the best path to guarantee national security is an internal matter for each country and assured that its response will depend “to a great extent” on the “specific conditions of Sweden’s integration into the Atlantic Alliance.”
That includes, added the office of foreign relations of the Government of Vladimir Putin, “the prospects of deployment in Swedish territory of offensive weapons of that military bloc”.
In any case, the official note from Russian diplomacy accused Stockholm of dealing “significant damage to the security of Northern Europe and the European continent, in its entirety” in the event of entering the Atlantic Alliance.
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March was the last dialogue between Russia and Ukraine on the territory of Turkey.
