Leer en Español
Sweden and Finland said Wednesday that their security and defense policies do not imply being “neutral countries.” They also said they are studying the possibility of joining or strengthening their collaboration with NATO.
“If something happens to our neighbors, we are there to help, and if something happens to us, we expect to be helped,” they assured.
In a meeting with the press in Madrid, the Swedish ambassador to Spain, Teppo Tauriainen, and the Finnish ambassador, Sari Rautio, stressed that their countries are very explicit: “We want to create security together with our neighbors and friends in the EU.”
Both Sweden and Finland explained that their entry into the EU meant a gradual evolution of their respective security and defense policies and that, like the other members of the Union, they strongly support Ukraine and denounce Russia’s “illegal and unjustified” invasion.
In fact, both have joined in sending military equipment to Ukraine and are considering extending sanctions on Russia, even though they are aware that they will be affected economically.
Sweden and Finland know that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused a “major change” in their environment, and also in the perceived risk; “There is a clear sense of insecurity, although we do not believe that Russia is going to invade us,” said Tauriainen.
Both countries also agree that they are engaged in a review of their security and defense policies.
Thus, Sweden has formed an analysis group that will present its conclusions shortly; it will not only analyze “whether or not we join NATO, but a broader approach,” said the Swedish diplomat.
He stressed that his country already has a “very close relationship” with other international players, such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Sweden has also approved an increase in defense spending.
For its part, the Finnish government is finalizing a “white paper” that will also redefine its security and defense policy “in the framework of the EU” and its growing “cooperation” with NATO, which will be debated in Parliament shortly.
As for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threats about the potential consequences, if these two countries could join NATO, the Finnish ambassador assured that the Kremlin’s threats are nothing new.
“It is clear that he would not like us to join NATO, but we do not pay so much attention to threatening rhetoric.”
