Will Sweden become a member of NATO?
- It seems to have started to move.
Opinion has turned in both Finland and Sweden.
In Finland, the political parties have begun their deliberations on the consequences of the development of public opinion in that direction.
In Sweden it looks more quiet.
Would Finland join NATO without Sweden?
- I rather think that either both countries apply or no country does.
If one country takes the step fully, the other country will be completely alone and will feel compelled to join as well.
Would Russia intervene if Sweden becomes a member?
- I do not think so.
This is a pressure that Russia is currently exerting on Stockholm and Helsinki because they still believe that it can have positive effects for them.
We saw in Estonia, for example, that there were violations of their airspace and threats to Estonia in 2004, but since then we have not seen it happen to the same extent.
- There is nothing to say that you can not have good cooperation with Russia because you are a member of NATO.
Does NATO want Sweden to join?
- The principle in NATO is that the door is open for new members.
Whether you want Sweden and Finland to join depends on which country you talk to.
Above all, it is the countries in the immediate area that are more interested.
What would it mean for Sweden if we became a member?
- If you are part of NATO, you are expected to be part of the collective defense.
Sweden is expected to develop its own military units to a qualitative level.
Sweden must also earmark units that, if necessary, can fight together with other NATO countries in the defense of the Baltic Sea area.
- In principle, "one for all, all for one" applies.
How long does it take to join NATO?
- If we look at the last two countries that joined NATO, Northern Macedonia and Montenegro, it took 18 and 20 months to join since NATO said that they live up to all the criteria to become members.
The main thing that takes time is for the parliaments of the current Member States to approve the entry.