Sweden and Finland have long preferred neutrality over joining the Western military alliance, so much so that it is said that they have become “adverbs” for neutrality. The Russian invasion of Ukraine was quick to shift this position, with both countries applying for membership last month, a move that at first seemed like it could be blocked by Turkey.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was the only leader in NATO to oppose the move, insisting that “we do not say ‘yes’ to the move. [countries] applying sanctions against Turkey ”and that the elimination of sources of“ terrorist financing ”and arms support for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (the PKK) should be a decisive factor.
The three countries have now reached an agreement, which means that NATO membership for the two Nordic countries is now more a matter of when, not than.
Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO, said yesterday: “I am pleased to announce that we now have an agreement that paves the way for Finland and Sweden to join NATO.
“Turkey, Finland and Sweden have signed a memorandum addressing Turkey’s concerns, including on arms exports and the fight against terrorism.”
Some reports suggest that the Nordic states have conceded to the majority of Turkey’s demands to be welcomed into the military alliance, even to the detriment of the Kurds.
Finland and Sweden’s accession is expected to come as a blow to Putin, all the more so because it was signed off by Erdogan.
Turkey has strong ties with Russia and the two countries are among each other’s largest trading partners.
Many Turkish companies started working in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
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Since the beginning of the invasion, Pope Francis has said that NATO’s “barking” at Russia’s door “may have facilitated its actions”.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that expanding the alliance to Finland and Sweden would have “far-reaching consequences”.
Putin also insisted on the “expansion of military infrastructure” within its expanded borders.
Sweden shares a maritime border with Russia, while Finland’s land border with the country extends over 800 miles.
The military alliance also prepared itself this week to strengthen its high-readiness forces from about 40,000 to more than 300,000 troops.
Stoltenberg set out to “transform” the NATO Response Force, with the new model including “more pre-positioned equipment and stockpiles of military supplies”, as well as “more forward-deployed capabilities, such as air defense” and “command and control strengthened ”.