Finland And Sweden Are Seeking NATO Membership

 

Finland and Sweden are seeking to be members of NATO. There reasons are based on the events surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. If NATO expansion was one of the reasons for the outbreak of war, this only increases chances of a larger European conflict. NATO's purpose was for defense against the Soviet Union. Since 1997, more countries have been added to the alliance, even though the Soviet Union no longer existed. Expansion indirectly implies in the future NATO will one day seek a war with the Russian Federation. Finland joining NATO  is more surprising. Finland was able to win a war against the Soviet Union. The Russo-Finnish War (1939-1940)  resulted in Russian defeat. During World War II Finland fought with Nazi Germany against the Soviet Union in the War of Continuation (1941-1944). Finland then made a separate peace and fought against Germany. Finland and Russia eventually signed a peace treaty in 1947. The two countries continued to have good relations. There is no reason to assume that Finland cannot defend itself. Sweden through most of the 20th century to early 2lst century has been a neutral European nation. The nation has valued diplomacy, rather than armed conflict. Turkey has objected to adding these two countries to NATO. Europe is becoming more militarized, which will cause instability. Russia has condemned the actions of Finland and Sweden, but has limited options. Attacking the Nordic countries would complicate matters. The only solution would be to arm Belarus as a counter to new NATO members. This enables President Alexander Lukashenko to become more important to Russia. Europe might become a larger warzone beyond Ukraine, if NATO keeps expanding.  Strategic  diplomacy is needed to prevent further escalation.