Sweden and Finland specified this Wednesday (03.23.2022) that their security and defense policy does not imply being “neutral countries”, and they are studying the possibility of joining or strengthening their collaboration with NATO. “If something happens to our neighbors, we are there to help and, if something happens to us, we hope that they will help us”, they assured.
In a meeting with the press in Madrid, the Swedish ambassador to Spain, Teppo Tauriainen, and the Finnish ambassador, Sari Rautio, stressed that their countries are very explicit: “We want to create security together with our neighbors and friends from the EU” .
Both Sweden and Finland explained that their entry into the EU marked a gradual evolution of their respective security and defense policies and that, like the other members of the Union, they strongly support Ukraine and denounce the “illegal and unjustified” invasion of Russia.
In fact, both have joined the shipment of military material to Ukraine and value the possibility of expanding the sanctions on Russia, despite being aware that they will affect them economically. Furthermore, both countries know that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought about a “huge change”, and also in perceived risk. “There is a clear sense of insecurity, although we do not believe that Russia is going to invade us,” Tauriainen said.
Both countries also agree that they are immersed in a rethinking of their security and defense policy. Thus, Sweden formed an analysis group that will present its conclusions shortly; It will not only study “whether or not we enter NATO, but a broader approach,” said the Swedish diplomat.
For its part, the Government of Finland is finalizing a “white paper” that will also redefine its security and defense policy “within the EU” and its growing “cooperation” with NATO, which will be debated in Parliament shortly.
As for the threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin about the consequences of these two countries entering NATO, the Finnish ambassador assured that the Kremlin’s threats are nothing new.” “It is clear that he would not like us to enter in NATO, but we don’t pay as much attention to threatening rhetoric.”