What consequences will the accession of these countries to NATO have?
Finland and Sweden are going to apply to join NATO, writes the Turkish website Haber 7. According to the author of the article, the membership of these countries in the alliance will pose a threat to Russia and change the balance of power in Europe.
Taha Dagly
Membership of Finland and Sweden in NATO is on the agenda.
How will this process proceed? Will a positive decision be made after submitting official applications? If two countries become members of the alliance, will Russia be able to respond?
Finland and Sweden, apparently, will apply for membership in NATO. Finland has even announced its request. It is believed that Sweden will take a similar position. In this case, the North Atlantic Alliance will need to consider their applications.
According to NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, the accession process will be "fast" and "hassle-free". Pay attention to the words "fast" and "trouble-free".
On June 30, a NATO summit will be held in Madrid, the capital of Spain. At this meeting, official decisions will be made on all the topics discussed at the extraordinary summit in Brussels at the end of March. And the process of Finland and Sweden joining the alliance will probably also be discussed at the Madrid summit.
So, it looks like membership applications will be submitted. But will NATO accept these appeals? In other words, will NATO accept Finland and Sweden into its membership?
There are some important clues to understanding the answers to these questions.
Let's pay attention to another magic word in the statement of NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg. What does the head of the alliance say?
Joining will be "hassle-free"
The UK's appetite for this issue also points to a "hassle-free" entry. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited both countries. And signed agreements with them in the field of defense.
It was an important step. A deterrent measure has been taken militarily against a possible attack from Russia. There is a high probability that this will be followed by membership in NATO.
In the North Atlantic Alliance, maybe not everyone thinks like the UK. However, before Russia's military operation in Ukraine, the gap in opinion was larger. Against the background of Russia's military actions, disagreements between the members of the alliance regarding its expansion have decreased.
It is argued that if Finland and Sweden submit applications, even if not everyone is as eager as the United States and Great Britain, no one will use the right of veto. At least, these are the forecasts for the moment.
OK, but will Russia respond?
The current development of events will definitely be a threat to Russia. However, Russia's opening of a new front in the north in the difficult situation in Ukraine, and especially an attempt to do so during the accession of the two countries to NATO, can translate the confrontation into another dimension.
For Russia, Finland is the starting point of the Northern Sea Route. The Russians have considerable naval power in the Arctic. It is also possible to increase nuclear threats in this region.
From the very beginning, the United States and Great Britain wanted to drag Russia into the swamp and, as they say, clip its wings. The membership of Finland and Sweden in NATO should contribute to achieving this goal.
If Russia responds, the probability of weakening the Russians will become higher.
In this case, the balance of power will change in Europe. From now on, the UK's attempts to be a player that stands above the EU will be reflected on the field. The loss of prestige and influence of Germany will accelerate. In the Western bloc, the activity of the Anglo–Saxon alliance led by the United States and Great Britain against countries such as France–Germany - Italy will be even more evident.
If we talk about Turkey
A change in the balance of power in the West may lead to a strengthening of Turkey's position in relations with the EU. From the moment French President Macron announced the "brain death of NATO", Turkey sided with the alliance as its important force. At the last summit in Brussels, Turkey also showed that it is one of the most important players in the alliance.
Finland and Sweden generously support the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). If the issue of membership of these two countries comes up on the agenda, Turkey will remind them of the PKK.
As for relations with Russia. Although this is a topic that can be discussed until the morning, the shortest way would be to say this: "Turkey is a member of NATO, not an alliance with Russia's participation."
