Nordic states and NATO Membership

The recent inclination of Scandinavian countries towards the North Transatlantic Treaty (NATO) membership is due Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is debated by experts whether NATO will significant for European states that remained neutral in politics. They avoided taking part in alliances and shifted their focus to other aspects of development and the security element was less dominant in the politics of European states.   

Security was not the only factor that gained significance in the major political debates in Europe. Since the Russian invasion, there is a shift in the policies of European states that previously invested more in the economy and development of their states.  The security umbrella of NATO came to rescue the European states to provide security and the growing influence of Russia particularly in Eastern Europe. The threat to the sovereignty of European states is not taken lightly by the security pundits in Europe. NATO provides security to its member states as an organization that provides protection to its members by deterring the potential threat to their sovereignty.   

  For Example, Finland and Sweden have applied for NATO membership amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  The rationale of Finland was based on the uncertain situation in Ukraine that came under threat after the Russian invasion. The increased risk of security concerns has led to a major policy shift in European states towards their territorial sovereignty. The question is would the NATO membership of European states will create more fissures for Russian legitimacy in the regional politics of Europe.  Finland has shown their inclination to become a member of NATO to ensure its security and region from potential threats to its territorial sovereignty.        

The major policy shift in Finland indicated changes in the security framework of European states and give top priority to security as Russian flex its military muscle in Ukraine. According to the leaders of Finland, their decision to join NATO has the mandate of its people. The escalation in Eastern Europe between Russia and Ukraine poses a threat to countries in the Nordic region. According to security experts, NATO can play its role in regional security by providing an alternative security apparatus for countries in the Nordic region to deter Russian influence. The discontent of Nordic countries over the Russian invasion of Ukraine can change the relations of European states with Russia. 

      

Finland shares a long border of the 830-kilometer border with Russia. If Finland joins the NATO the area of influence of NATO will increase and doubled in the comparison Russian area of influent in regional dynamics. That means it would shift the equilibrium of power in the Nordic region by reducing the Russian power in Europe. The question is will Russia retaliate to oppose the expansion of NATO’s influence in the Nordic region? Sweden shares a maritime border with Russia their inclusion in NATO will change their bilateral relations with Russia amid their invasion of Ukraine. Russia has opposed the enlargement of NATO since it poses potential concerns for Russian relevance in the Nordic political arena. The security experts are assessing the potential outcome of NATO expansion towards the Nordic region and its likely impact on global politics particularly, in the context of security.