- Yes, it is possible to leave NATO.
The process takes a year and begins with the country that has left announcing its withdrawal to the United States, which then informs the other members.
The rules for leaving NATO are specified in Article 13 of the Statutes of the Defense Alliance, which came into force when the so-called Atlantic Pact was formed in April 1949.
However, no member state has left the alliance.
However, in 1966, France chose to leave NATO's military structures, says Krister Pallin.
- French military personnel were then withdrawn from NATO staffs and French units were no longer subordinated to NATO command.
But the country remained an active member of the alliance's political body and retained liaison staff at the military headquarters.
France then rejoined NATO's military structures in 2009.
Five questions about NATO and defense
What role had Sweden had in NATO?
43 sec
What had that meant for Gotland?
27 sec
What can NATO mean for conscripts?
23 sec
Does it take a long time to change after a NATO membership?
42 sec
How big is this decision for Sweden?
53 sec