War in Ukraine is changing public opinion in Finland and Sweden on their possible membership of the NATO. Russia is trying to influence it, by evaluating to both Nordic Countries that joining the military alliance would not increase stability in Europe, British public broadcaster BBC reports.
This week, the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov reiterated the view of the country’s leadership that the bloc «is not that kind of alliance which ensures peace and stability, and its further expansion will not bring additional security to the European continent».
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Evidently politicians in Helsinki and Sweden are not sure of that. Finnish members of the parliament are expected to receive a security report from intelligence officials this week. Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has stated she expects her government «will end the discussion before midsummer» on whether or not to submit a membership application.
In Sweden, which has sought to be neutral, but cooperating with to NATO in the European defence architecture, the ruling Social Democratic party has stated it is rethinking this position in light of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Party secretary Tobias Baudin informed local media that the party’s NATO review should be complete within the next few months. «When Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden’s security position changed fundamentally,» the party wrote in a statement on Monday, April 11, BBC reports.
Moscow trying to discourage Finland and Sweden from joining NATO
