The issue of NATO membership is burning in both Sweden and Finland.

The willingness to join the alliance has risen in opinion and with Russia's invasion of Ukraine it has become a highly topical issue.

Discussed at conference

The Sweden Democrats, who have traditionally been against membership, are now opening up to reconsider their position.

The issue will be discussed at the party's election conference this weekend.

From the party leadership, the attitude is clear:

If I and the party leadership get to decide, we want to open up our stance to enable a membership, says party leader Jimme Åkesson in SVT's Morgonstudion on Friday morning.

At the same time, he is clear that the party does not want to stress a decision.

 - Going from being completely against to being completely for is not credible, as a conservative I believe that you should be careful in your progress, but I do not rule out that we end up in NATO eventually, says the SD leader.

Should apply with Finland

The Finnish Minister of Defense recently said that at the moment it is not time to apply, given that NATO's focus is on the situation in Ukraine.

- That Finland says that you should not apply here and now, I do not think so either, but you are approaching.

There has been an open debate there in a different way than it has been in Sweden, says Åkesson.

In the event of a Swedish application, Sweden should do something in common with Finland, according to the SD leader, he shares that attitude with the Moderates' Ulf Kristersson.

- Sweden is to a large extent part of NATO already, through partnerships and host country agreements that we already have.

In some sense, it is difficult to assert freedom of alliance and neutrality, the attitude that has served us well during the post-war period.

But the security situation has changed so much that we can not rule anything out, it would be irresponsible in this situation, says Åkesson.

Five viewer questions about NATO

  • What commitments does it mean if Sweden joins NATO?

    42 sec

  • Do you, like NATO, have to fight in the war of others?

    37 sec

  • Does Sweden have to house nuclear weapons if we join NATO?

    34 sec

  • Does Sweden risk becoming a target in conflicts?

    18 sec

  • What happens if there is a dictatorship in the United States?

    27 sec