The events take place at breakneck speed. In less than three months, Sweden and Finland have taken more steps towards eventual NATO membership than in the last thirty years. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has pushed the only two Nordic countries that do not belong to the Atlantic Alliance to rethink its security policy and defenses. These are the dates marked in red that can lead Stockholm and Helsinki to knock on the doors of NATO in search of protection against the neo-imperialism of Vladimir Putin.
May 12
The President of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, will also present his views on Finland’s NATO membership. In Finland, foreign policy is a shared competence between the head of state and the government.
Also, the Swedish Social Democrats, who previously said “no” to NATO, conclude the internal dialogue on security policies, after which they can reassess their opposition. This day concludes the debate on security that began in April. Conservatives, centrists, liberals and Christian Democrats have previously advocated membership in the transatlantic organization. Meanwhile, the far-right Sweden Democrats are also now advocating accession as long as Finland does too.
may 13th
On Friday the analysis of the security policy of the Swedish parties will be completed in the Riksdag (Parliament). The analysis was initiated after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is not yet clear whether the analysis will contain any recommendations regarding NATO membership.
may 14
The Finnish Social Democratic Party (SDP) of Prime Minister, sanna marin, formally decides how to respond to a NATO request. Most other parties, as well as a large majority of Finns, are already in favor of joining. Marin, who also chairs the party, promised to state his position before the meeting.
15 th of May
The National Council of the Swedish Social Democratic Party (SAP), chaired by its leader, the Prime Minister Magdalena Andersonis holding a historic meeting in which it will announce whether to modify its historic rejection of NATO in the face of growing regional insecurity caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
May 16
The Swedish Parliament will hold a session to discuss possible accession to NATO in view of the conclusions on security and defense policy presented on Friday by the Social Democratic government.
May 17-18
The President of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, plans to make a state visit to Sweden in which he will discuss defense and security cooperation between the two Scandinavian countries with the Swedish authorities. In view of the debate in their respective parliaments and within the ruling social democratic parties, it is foreseeable that Stockholm and Helsinki will jointly announce your official application to join NATO.
June 29-30
During the Summit of the Atlantic Alliance that is being held these two days in Madrid, the allies could acknowledge receipt of the accession requests of Finland and Sweden and formally invite them to join the organization to become Member States 31 and 32.
The Secretary General of NATO, the Norwegian Jens Stoltenberghas publicly stated that accession to the Stockholm and Helsinki Alliance could take place relatively quickly. “I can’t say how long it will take, but you can go fast if you want.”assured at the end of April.
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