Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, announced yesterday, May 16, 2022, that her government wants to proceed with becoming a member of NATO. “We are leaving one era and entering another” declared the Swedish leader.
NATO, an alliance of 30 countries from Europe and North America, provides a unique link between both continents. It enables the field of defense and security. The organization was formed, during World War II, to encourage political and economic cooperation on both sides.
Furthermore, it has been reported Swedish Defense Minister, Peter Hultqvist, will travel to the United States, Wednesday, May 17, 2022, to meet Lloyd Austin, Head of the Pentagon. He will discuss Russia’s issues with Ukraine and Sweden’s membership application to NATO. Seemingly, Turkish leader Erdogan will use all forces to oppose the entry of Sweden into the organization. To join the alliance, all 30 country members must approve.
According to Reuters, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, “There was no threat to Russia if Sweden and Finland joined NATO but cautioned that Moscow would respond if the U.S.-led alliance bolstered military infrastructure in the new Nordic members.”
ChinaDaily.com reported Putin saying, “NATO is being used as a foreign policy instrument by one country, and this is being done quite persistently, skillfully and very aggressively.” Russia’s responses will vary based on the threat.
Putin’s disdain towards NATO dates back to the Cold War, a moment marked by political, ideological, and military opposition between The USA and Russia. As a result, the USSR in the Eastern world region and the NATO in the Western region formed to be opposed alliances. Even though the USSR collapsed, NATO resisted and continued to operate. It is important to remember Russia justified its first attacks on Ukraine by citing the proximity and the possible expansion of NATO into Russian borders.
The sudden change in the world balance due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led several countries to change their national strategies and positions. In hope of receiving military protection, some countries asked to join NATO.
In conclusion, NATO must be careful because every decision made will be used by Russia to justify its tremendous attacks. These events have provoked thousands of civilian deaths.
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