German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Figure: flipping Twitter (file photo)
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has been criticized by all sides, and it has led to a change in the long-standing “military non-alignment” policy of Finland and Sweden. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on the 3rd that if Finland and Sweden decide to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, hereinafter referred to as NATO), Germany will help them. “If these two countries decide to belong to NATO, they can count on our support,” he announced at a joint press conference with visiting Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
According to comprehensive foreign media reports, due to the proximity of Sweden and Finland to Russia, the two countries are worried that the Kremlin (Kremlin) ambitions may extend to the entire Baltic region (Baltic region). Both Sweden and Finland are currently discussing whether to join NATO, which would be a major change for Northern Europe after Russia invaded Ukraine. “No one can say for sure that Russia will not attack other countries. If Finland and Sweden decide to join NATO, Germany will help them,” Schott said, promising that as European countries, Sweden and Finland “can rely on Germany in any situation.” support, either as a member of NATO or in the period prior to decisions within NATO.”
Marin bluntly said that Russia’s aggression against its neighbors “has completely changed our security environment” and that “there is no turning back”. “Russia has made it clear that he will not uphold the fundamental principles of European security and international law,” she said, stressing that “NATO’s ‘Open Door’ policy is not conducive to NATO’s ‘Open Door’ policy due to Russia’s false claim to power over other countries’ choices. We are more important”. Anderson revealed that the Swedish government and various parties in parliament are conducting an analysis of the country’s security policy, and the results will be released on the 13th. She mentioned: “This analysis includes Sweden’s future international defense partner, joining NATO and all options are being discussed. In China, like other countries, Sweden is adapting to the new situation.”
According to Bloomberg, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February sparked a turn in Finland and Sweden in favor of joining NATO. Finland is expected to apply to NATO as soon as next week by May 17, while Sweden’s position is less clear. Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde pointed out last month that Russia’s fervent desire for Sweden and Finland to join NATO presents a conflicting narrative; on the one hand, Russia has repeatedly warned that Sweden and Finland will face “consequences” if they join NATO, on the other hand. It downplays the importance of NATO’s 30 or 32 member states.