As the war between Russia and Ukraine progressed, Finland and Sweden gave up their long-standing neutral stance and turned around to apply to join NATO .
html On May 15, Finland officially decided to apply to join NATO. That night, Sweden also followed Finland's footsteps and officially decided to support Sweden's joining NATO. If these two countries successfully join NATO, it will be NATO's sixth eastward expansion.Sweden and Finland are two of the seven internationally recognized " permanently neutral countries " countries. Sweden has not had a war for more than 200 years. Finland signed the "Paris Peace" in the 1940s and 1990s respectively. Treaty" and the "Treaty on the Basics of Relations between Russia and Finland", thus confirming the neutral position for more than 70 years. However, in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, both principles were broken. Why does
break the principle?
Today, NATO has a total of 30 member states. From the map, NATO member states are in a triangular shape, pressing down on the west of Russia. The easternmost part of Russia is only separated from the United States by the Bering Strait , and Japan and South Korea are to the southeast. Finland and Sweden, which have long been under the orders of the United States, are adjacent to Russia. After these two countries joined NATO, Russia's western region was almost completely "naked" in front of NATO.
The United States has been laying the groundwork for such a long time to fight Ukraine and Russia. While sanctioning Russia, it also did not forget to find excuses to make things difficult for China. The United States wants to take the opportunity to weaken China and Russia in one fell swoop.
Finland and Sweden went from initial hesitation to publicly stating their intention to join NATO in less than half a month. This is obviously a sign of siding with NATO for mutual benefit and win-win results.
First of all, Finland and Sweden are surrounded by NATO member states and Russia. If any party wants to use force against these two countries, NATO and Russia will do it first, without Finland and Sweden doing it. This is why Finland and Sweden can maintain their status quo for so long. neutral position in time.
But now the United States plans to use Ukraine as a chess piece to suppress Russia for a long time. It is difficult to tell who will lose and who will win. If NATO wins, the geographical location of Finland and Sweden will cause them big trouble.
Secondly, Finland, Sweden and Russia have a complicated war relationship in history. Even if they are now in a neutral position, the Russia-Ukraine conflict is a living example. If they are not protected, they will be the next tug-of-war rope pulled by the United States and Russia. It is a safer approach to stand in line at this juncture.
Of course, Finland and Sweden do not submit applications and everything will be fine.
Turkey "Tantrum"
New members joining NATO must obtain the consent of all old members. When Finland and Sweden announced in high profile that they would apply to join NATO, Türkiye was not happy.
html On May 13, Turkish President Erdogan stated that it is impossible for Turkey to support Finland and Sweden to join NATO. They are home to many terrorist organizations.Türkiye has always regarded Finland and Sweden as "semi-hostile countries". Turkey believes that Finland and Sweden are supporting terrorist organizations, and the two types of organizations they shelter pose threats to Turkey. One is the " Kurdistan Workers' Party" that has had a long-term conflict with the Turkish government and seeks to establish a state, and the other was in 2016. "Gulenists" seeking to overthrow Erdogan's regime.
On October 9, 2019, the Turkish Armed Forces launched a military operation against the PKK and other armed forces in northern Syria on the Turkish-Syrian border
Turkey has been frustrated in NATO. It has had conflicts with several NATO member states and has been constantly criticized. The United States has suppressed it, and now the United States is strongly supporting its "rival" to join the organization. How can Turkey swallow this sigh of relief?
But it is aggrieved. How can we not listen to the words of the "Big Brother" in the United States? Turkey can only break its teeth and swallow it in its belly. On May 14, the foreign ministers of Turkey, Finland, and Sweden held a meeting. Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu took the opportunity to negotiate conditions, requiring Finland and Sweden to stop supporting the "PKK" and to stop granting Turkish defense industry or export licenses. limits.
On the same day, Erdogan's spokesman and foreign policy adviser Ibrahim Kalin further stated that Turkey has not closed the door for Finland and Sweden to join NATO, but they must fight against "terrorist organizations" such as the PKK in Sweden. "Terrorist activities" in Stockholm and other places.
However, how could the United States allow Turkey's "little temper" to disrupt its plans. On May 16, NATO and the United States publicly stated to Turkey that they believed Turkey would not obstruct Finland and Sweden from joining NATO.
Perhaps in the end, Türkiye will have no choice but to be obedient.
Russia took multiple measures to warn Finland and Sweden
After Finland and Sweden showed signs of joining NATO, Russia immediately took measures to give them a "red card" warning.
html On May 13, according to Russian media reports, RAO Nordic Oy, a subsidiary of the Russian International Unified Electric Power System Public Joint Stock Company, will suspend power supply to Finland starting at 1:00 on May 14.Finland’s electricity imports from Russia account for about 10% of Finland’s total consumption. Although Finnish power grid operator Fingrid said that Finland’s electricity market will not be affected by this, and they can purchase electricity from Sweden to make up for the country’s electricity gap, but according to professionals Analysts say this will lead to a 30% increase in electricity prices in this part of Finland.
On May 14, Russian President Putin and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö had a phone call about Finland's joining NATO. Putin emphasized during the conversation that Finland's abandonment of its military neutrality policy was a mistake and that Russia did not threaten Finland. Security, changes in Finland's foreign policy will have a negative impact on relations between the two countries.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö
Afterwards, Niinistö said in an interview with US media that Putin’s calm reaction when he learned about Finland’s intention to join NATO surprised him.
The armies of Finland and Sweden are both very good, capable and very modern, with excellent mobilization systems. With the addition of these two armies, the number of NATO troops in northern Europe will far exceed that of Russia. NATO’s military presence in the region Defense power will also be greatly enhanced. In addition, Finland's joining has filled a huge gap in NATO's defense.
Behind Putin's calmness, there may be an approaching storm.
html On May 15, Bondarev, chairman of the Defense and Security Committee of the Russian Federation Council, stated on social media that if after Finland joins NATO, NATO offensive weapons are deployed in areas adjacent to Russia, Russia will also strengthen border defenses and increase Border Force.Strengthening border defense means that Russia needs more powerful weapons and defense systems to protect its territory, which also means an increase in military expenditures. Finland and Sweden, as the few countries in western Russia that have not joined NATO, have long been coveted by NATO. Russia's choice to confront the United States naturally takes into account the possibility of Finland and Sweden turning to NATO. Putin's attitude explains everything, and Russia will definitely take tougher measures in response. (leaf)
