Professor: “No one’s advantage”

NATO talks between Sweden, Turkey and Finland resumed at the end of February after a short break, but so far the countries have not reached a solution. Turkey said it would only accept Finland’s application.

According to Prime Minister Ulf Kristerson (M), the probability of that scenario becoming a reality has increased and Finland will join NATO without Sweden, He made the announcement during a press conference held today.

– This does not benefit anyone, not Sweden, Finland or NATO, says Kell Engelbrecht, professor of political science at the Norwegian Defense Academy.

Cooperation was severed

Sweden and Finland today have an integrated defense policy, and if Finland continues without Sweden, cooperation must be split.

– We already have a package solution and if Finland goes on its own, there can be no integration because it has to be formally done under NATO. NATO also benefits from showing solidarity, but now NATO is showing the opposite, says Engelbrecht.

If Finland advances on its own – how will that affect Sweden’s security situation?

– If Sweden takes the time to join and simultaneously announces that we will join NATO, we will no longer be covered by Article Five (countries no longer have to help each other). We become more vulnerable to influencing actions and military attacks. If this drags on, one can coldly believe in higher defense spending.

Safe in the short term

However, Engelbrecht believes Ulf Kristerson’s claim Sweden is safe now – in a shorter period of time than before the application.

– America and Great Britain have pledged support. If it lasts, new governments may be in power and you don’t know what that means. But I don’t know any politician who believes there are any advantages to Finland going forward on its own.