The Nordic country became the 32nd member of the military alliance; Putin sees the expansion as a threat to Russian territory
After more than a year of waiting, Sweden became the 32nd member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). On Monday (February 26, 2024), the Hungarian parliament approved the Nordic country's entry into the military alliance. The country ruled by Viktor Orbán was the last obstacle to the organization's expansion in Europe.
The accession of Sweden and Finland Finland became a member in April 2023 marked the end of the neutrality policy adopted by both and represented the largest expansion of NATO since the accession of Eastern European countries that were part of the former Soviet Union.
The alliance's history is linked to Russia and its expansion follows the same path. Founded in 1949 during the Cold War, NATO's main goal was to prevent the Soviet Union's expansion and political influence throughout Europe. The concern now relates to possible implications for the security of the European continent, particularly if Russia wins the war against Ukraine.
Finland and Sweden decided to join the alliance because they believed that the countries' security was at risk. The UkraineRussia conflict was also a decisive factor in the decision.
On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his government have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction with the expansion of the military alliance in neighboring countries, saying that the entry of nations threatens the country's security. Putin even used the issue to justify the start of the invasion of Ukrainian territories on February 24, 2022.
Professor of international relations at the UFSC (Federal University of Santa Catarina), Danielle Jacon Ayres Pinto, explained in an interview with May360 that the entry of Sweden and Finland represents an “advantage” for NATO because the military alliance “expands its territory closer to its greatest undeclared enemy.” [a Rússia]But [um inimigo] within the security perspectives of the organization.
Professor of international relations at UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro), Carlos Eduardo Martins, estimates that the newcomers are part of NATO's expansion plans for Eastern Europe.
“It is in the interest of the United States to expand NATO eastward [europeu]Surround Russia as much as possible [e] “Isolate it because the country is a logistic corridor in the connection between China and Europe,” he said in an interview with Power360.
With the accession of the Nordic countries, Russia is now surrounded by NATO countries on land and at sea. Currently, five countries of the military organization border the Russians: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Finland. The Finns, for example, share around 1,300 kilometers with the nation led by Putin.
In the maritime environment, the proximity to Russia is due to the country having two strategic exits to the Baltic Sea, an important shipping route to the Atlantic Ocean and access to Saint Petersburg, Russia's second largest city. These are: the port of Saint Petersburg and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
NATO has strategic access to the Baltic Sea through Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and now Finland and Sweden. This made Russia the only country outside the military alliance in the region.
DEFENSE ADVANTAGE
Danielle Jacon also assumes that the entry of Finland and Sweden into the military alliance will contribute in the military field. “Perhaps more with the accession of Sweden, a military power. […] “We will have to watch how Sweden will cede its military resources to the NATO arsenal,” he said.
In 2006, defense ministers of NATO member countries committed to spending at least 2% of their GDP to “continue to ensure the Alliance’s military readiness.” The war in Ukraine caused European nations to rethink the amount of resources allocated to protecting the continent and increase defense spending.
Danger of war
In an address to the nation on Thursday (February 29), Vladimir Putin warned of the risk of a nuclear conflict with the West if the military alliance sends troops to Ukraine.
The Russian president also stated that Western countries are trying to “drag” Moscow into an arms race and that the country therefore needs to develop a defense industrial complex to increase “its scientific, technological and industrial potential.”
“It is urgent to strengthen the groups [das Forças Armadas russas] in the western strategic direction to neutralize threats related to the upcoming NATO expansion,” he said, referring to the entry of Finland and Sweden into the military alliance.
According to Danielle Jacon, Putin has made it clear in his recent speeches that he is not afraid to use the country's nuclear arsenal in the event of an attack by NATO. However, the expert believes it is “unlikely” that Russia will invade Europe on its own initiative to conquer territory.
“Now there is a possibility that Russia will retaliate because it understands that NATO is moving much closer to its territory, breastfeeding much more and encroaching on its geopolitical sovereignty space… Then there is a chance that it will create a conflict in Europe,” said he stated. .