Sweden takes another hurdle to NATO application – Kremlin warns of “mistakes with far-reaching consequences”

Created: 05/16/2022, 16:11

By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi, Christina Denk, Felix Durach

Finland and Sweden want to join NATO in the face of the Ukraine war.

Foreign Minister Baerbock has spoken out in favor of rapid admission.

News ticker.

• Escalated Ukraine conflict

  : Finland and Sweden want to join NATO in view of the threat from Russia.

• Russia threatens:

  Moscow threatens Finland and Sweden with “far-reaching consequences” if they join NATO.

• Final vote

  on Sunday: Finland wants to submit the application to NATO as early as next week.

  Sweden's ruling party is also in favor of joining.

• This

  news ticker on the expected NATO accession of Finland and Sweden

  is constantly updated.

Update from May 16, 3:11 p.m

.: Sweden wants to become a NATO member.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said on Monday in Stockholm that the country would apply to be included in the defense alliance.

Previously, almost all parties in Parliament had expressed their support for a membership application

.

Andersson in the Ukraine war: "Sweden is best defended in NATO"

Update from May 16, 2:11 p.m

.: “There is a lot in Sweden that is worth defending, and Sweden is best defended in NATO”: With these words, the Social Democratic Prime Minister of Sweden, Magdalena Andersson, in the Parliamentary debate to join the western defense alliance.

Shortly thereafter, according to dpa, a majority of the parties spoke out in favor of a corresponding application on Monday (May 16).

There shouldn't be a vote.

The same debate is currently going on in Finland, and here too a majority in parliament is considered certain.

"We can finally become a member of NATO," said the head of the largest opposition party, Moderaterna, Ulf Kristersson.

The bourgeois party in Sweden has been campaigning for such a move for a long time.

Planned NATO accessions during Ukraine war: Kremlin observes "very carefully"

Update from May 16, 1:30 p.m .:

According to the Kremlin, Russia is “very cautiously” watching the planned NATO accession of Finland and Sweden.

Kremlin spokesman Dimitri Peskov reiterated Russia's position that the accession of Finland and Sweden would not help strengthen the security environment in Europe.

"There are reasons for the very deep analysis of the possible consequences," he warned, according to the Russian state agency

.

It is a "very serious" issue that is causing concern in Russia.

Peskov emphasized: "We will monitor the consequences of Finland and Sweden joining NATO very carefully with a view to its implementation because of our security." Russia's security must be guaranteed "unconditionally", according to the Kremlin spokesman.

NATO accession: Consultations begin in Finland and Sweden

Update from May 16, 11:30 a.m .:

The parliaments in Finland and Sweden have started their deliberations on the planned NATO accession of the two countries.

"Our security environment has changed fundamentally," Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin told MPs in Helsinki.

"The only country that threatens European security and is now openly waging aggressive war is Russia," Marin said.

According to Parliament President Matti Vanhanen, 150 requests to speak were planned, so a vote is not expected on Monday.

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin during the parliamentary debate on a possible NATO membership on Monday.

© EMMI KORHONEN

The Social Democrats led by Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson also voted in favor of an application for NATO membership on Sunday.

Andersson took part in the debate in Parliament in Stockholm on Monday.

Finland and Sweden are preparing to join NATO in reaction to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Admission to NATO would be a historic turning point for Sweden and Finland after decades of alliance neutrality.

A unanimous vote by NATO and the ratification of the alliance expansion by the parliaments of all 30 previous member states are also required for their accession.

At a meeting of foreign ministers in Berlin at the weekend, leading representatives of NATO and its member states promised Finland and Sweden a speedy admission process.

NATO: Russia threatens - Sweden and Finland's accession is said to have "far-reaching consequences".

Update from May 16, 9:30 a.m .:

Russia has again criticized Sweden and Finland’s decision to join NATO.

"The North Atlantic alliance should have no illusions," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by the

state agency .

Ryabkov said that Russia would "not simply accept" the accession of Sweden and Finland.

"This is another serious mistake with far-reaching consequences," Ryabkov said, according to Russian news agencies.

Russia's reaction will depend "on the practical consequences of the accession" of the two countries to NATO.

"It is clear to us that the security of Sweden and Finland will not be strengthened by this decision," emphasized the Deputy Foreign Minister.

NATO accession: Sweden sends delegation to Turkey - Ankara considers Stockholm "provocative"

Update from May 16, 7.15 a.m .:

After Turkey announced that it was critical of Finland and Sweden joining NATO and accused the countries of supporting the banned PKK, Sweden is now sending a delegation to Turkey.

"We are sending a delegation of officials to talk and establish a dialogue with Turkey," Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist was quoted as saying by the Swedish public broadcaster SVT.

So you want to work on a solution to the problem and find out what it's really about.

However, there is broad agreement in NATO for the accession of both Finland and Sweden.

Turkey seems to be more annoyed with Sweden than with Finland.

This emerges from statements by the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

He described statements by Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde as "provocative".

The Finnish side, on the other hand, is quite "cautious" and shows respect for Turkey's position.

This is not the case with the Swedish side, Cavusoglu complained.

Citing Finnish political and security sources, Finnish tabloid

wrote that Turkey's foreign minister had informed Helsinki that Turkey supported Finland's accession.

Accordingly, Cavusoglu said that Ankara's negative attitude is now limited to Sweden joining the alliance.

Sweden's NATO accession: governing party speaks out in favor of accession - "changed security environment"

Update from May 15, 5:30 p.m .:

Now there is also movement in Sweden’s possible NATO accession.

After a special session on Sunday, the head of Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's party spoke out in favor of their country joining NATO, according to the party's website.

The reason for the far-reaching change of course is the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, which triggered an intensive NATO debate in Sweden and in neighboring Finland.

200 years of non-alignment has served her country well, Andersson said on Sunday, but this is questionable for the future.

"We are confronted with a fundamentally changed security environment in Europe," said the Social Democrat.

She added: "The fundamental question for us is how best to protect Sweden and the Kremlin has shown that it is ready to use violence to achieve its political goals (...)".

As a NATO member, Sweden will not only achieve more security, but also contribute to the security of other NATO countries, Andersson continued.

However, the Social Democrats do not want to accept the stationing of nuclear weapons or permanent NATO bases on their territory.

Finland's President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin had already announced at a press conference on Sunday that they wanted to submit an application for their country.

Marin had also expressed hope that Sweden would follow suit.

Parliament in both countries is now scheduled to meet on Monday to debate NATO membership.

In Finland, consent is already considered almost certain.

Finland joins NATO: US Secretary of State blinks confidently

Update from May 15, 5:03 p.m .:

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed confidence with regard to Finland’s possible NATO membership.

“I have heard, almost without exception, very strong support for Finland joining NATO if it decides to do so.

And I am very confident that we will reach a consensus on this issue," said Blinken on Sunday in Berlin after a meeting of the foreign ministers of the 30 alliance states in Berlin.

He also had the chance to speak to his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.

"This is a process and NATO is a place of dialogue," said Blinken.

In NATO, members could talk about all sorts of differences.

He did not want to disclose any details about the conversation with Cavusoglu, but there is a "strong consensus" within NATO with regard to Finland and Sweden.

NATO boss Stoltenberg: "Turkey does not want to block the accession of Sweden and Finland"

Update from May 15, 4:40 p.m .:

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg does not expect any delay in Finland and Sweden joining NATO due to Turkey’s objections.

Turkey has made it clear that it does not want to block accession, Stoltenberg said on Sunday at the end of a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Berlin.

"Therefore, I am confident that we can address the objections raised by Turkey in a way that will not delay the accession process."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (archive image) © Dwi Anoraganingrum/Future Image/Imago

Baerbock sees peace 'bombed' by Russia

Update from May 15, 3 p.m.:

When asked, Baerbock spoke of a “historic moment” that was in the air at the meeting of NATO foreign ministers.

"Now is the moment when the Nordic countries would take in their direct neighbors and friends," said the Foreign Minister, referring to Finland and Sweden.

"There must always be dialogue," explains Baerbock, referring to diplomatic relations with Russia.

"But we all found out in a brutal way that the last form of dialogue that we still had was blown up by the Russian side." The European peace order was "bombed up in the truest sense of the word." That's why they are now supporting it Ukraine in the process of defending itself militarily.

With regard to NATO, "deterrence and defense" would now play a greater role than before the start of the aggressive war on February 24.

Stoltenberg also expects rapid ratification by the member states in view of the potentially forthcoming admission procedures in Finland and Sweden.

Although Turkey has recently expressed concerns about the accession of the two nations, the Secretary General believes in an agreement with Ankara and the other NATO member states and confirms that Turkey will not block admission.

Baerbock speaks at NATO press conference: "This war will not be over anytime soon"

Update from May 15, 2:50 p.m .:

Now Baerbock speaks.

"We discussed what we can do in the future to continue supporting Ukraine."

The West will help as long "as Ukraine needs the support." "This war will not be over anytime soon," declared the Foreign Minister.

Russia's aggression is a turning point for the security situation in the coming years, which must result in far-reaching strategic responses.

"We are experiencing in the most brutal way why NATO is needed," added the Foreign Minister.

That is a painful realization.

At this time, NATO means security for everyone involved.

Annalena Baerbock comments together with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who is connected via video.

© Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

In addition to a defense alliance, NATO could also become an alliance of those “who stand up for values ​​and international law.” The Russian war of aggression has now brought the western states closer together.

“Sweden and Finland are not only our partners, they have long been our European family members.

The doors of NATO are open to them and if they decide to go through these doors, we will welcome them with open arms," ​​said the Foreign Minister, referring to the potential membership applications.

Both nations are already NATO members without a membership card.

With Finland and Sweden, all Nordic nations would be united in a defensive alliance for the first time, Baerbock further notes.

"Sweden and Finland, if you are ready, we are ready," Baerbock concludes her statement and once again advocates a rapid ratification process for the expected applications.

Baerbock and Stoltenberg press conference: “Ukraine can win this war”

Update from May 15, 2:42 p.m .:

Annalena Baerbock comes to the lectern with a slight delay.

However, Stoltenberg begins and thanks the Foreign Minister for the hospitality and the good discussions.

Germany is a strong defender of transatlantic relations.

"Yesterday evening, Finland and Sweden informed NATO that they want to join NATO," said Stoltenberg, referring to the Scandinavian countries.

"If you were to apply for this membership now, that would be a big step," the Secretary General continues.

"Russia is not achieving its military goals," said Stoltenberg, referring to the war in Ukraine.

“Europe and the US are in unity.

Ukraine can win this war,” says the NATO Secretary General and assures Ukraine of further support.

Update from May 15, 2:20 p.m .:

The press conference at the end of the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Berlin with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg begins in just under ten minutes.

However, the latter will only connect via video because he stayed in Brussels due to corona disease.

Finland wants to join NATO - "A new era is beginning"

Update from May 15, 12:17 p.m .:

Finland wants to join NATO.

The Scandinavian country will submit an application to join the military alliance, as announced by Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Sunday in Helsinki.

However, the Finnish parliament still has to approve the project.

A majority is considered safe.

Niinistö spoke several times on Sunday of a "historic day" for the country.

"A new era is beginning," said the President.

Finland, which has not been part of any alliance for decades, shares a 1,300-kilometer border with Russia.

As a result of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, more and more voices were being raised calling for Finland to join NATO in order to ensure the country's security.

Both Niinistö and Marin recently campaigned to join the military alliance.

On Saturday, Marin's SDP party also spoke out in favor of the application for membership.

Nothing stands in the way of a majority in Parliament.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin had assured his counterpart Niinistö in a telephone call on Saturday that Russia posed no threat and described a possible NATO membership as a mistake.

An application for membership by Finland could now only be prevented by a member state's veto.

However, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana reiterated NATO's "open-door policy" on Sunday and expressed confidence.

Finland wants to submit an application to join NATO and join the military alliance.

This was announced by President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Sunday.

© Heikki Saukkomaa/afp

"Ukraine can win this war": NATO representative assures further western aid

Update from May 15, 10:25 a.m .:

NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana has assured Ukraine of Western support in the ongoing war against Russia.

"Thanks to the courage of the Ukrainian army and our help, Ukraine can win this war," Geoana said on the sidelines of informal consultations between NATO foreign ministers on Sunday morning in Berlin.

The Russian offensive in Ukraine is already "losing momentum".

The Romanian also commented positively on the possible NATO accession of Finland and Sweden.

Geoana was "confident that the allies" would "constructively and positively examine" possible membership applications from both "vibrant democracies". Any concerns by Turkey were discussed "amicably".

According to the deputy secretary general, however, the "open door policy" for which NATO stands is "sacrosanct".

Geoana represents Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who has to isolate himself because of a corona infection, at the informal consultations of the NATO foreign ministers in Berlin.

The deliberations began on Saturday evening and will end with a press conference in the afternoon.

Baerbock for fast NATO admission of Finland and Sweden - "pushed in" by Putin

Update from May 15, 9:30 a.m.:

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock promised Finland and Sweden a quick admission to NATO.

Germany would ratify the two countries' entry into the alliance "very, very quickly," said Baerbock on Sunday morning on the sidelines of informal consultations with her NATO colleagues in Berlin.

The federal government has already held talks with “all democratic parties”.

According to Baerbock, other NATO countries have also spoken out in favor of a rapid ratification process.

According to the Greens politician, a "hanging-up" after the two Scandinavian countries applied for membership must be avoided at all costs.

"NATO is an alliance that relies on defense and will always remain so," said Baerbock.

"But it is also an open-door alliance and that is why we welcome Finland and Sweden, if their parliaments, if their societies decide to do so," added the Foreign Minister with a view to possible accession.

With regard to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Baerbock notes that he “pushed” Finland and Sweden into NATO with his war of aggression against Ukraine.

In a phone call with Finland's President Sauli Niinistö, Putin called the move a "mistake".

Turkey against Finland and Sweden joining NATO?

Foreign Minister open to discussion

Update from May 14, 8:42 p.m .:

Before the meeting of the foreign ministers of the NATO countries, Turkey once again reiterated its cautious opinion about the accession of Finland and Sweden.

The two countries "openly" supported the "terror organizations" Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and YPG, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.

The majority of the Turkish population is against NATO membership of countries that "support these terrorist organizations".

At the same time, Cavusoglu was open to discussing efforts to join NATO with the representatives of Helsinki and Stockholm.

Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn has called on Turkey to give up its opposition to the possible admission of Sweden and Finland.

"If both countries want that, and that seems to be going in this direction, then none of the 30 countries should oppose it," said Asselborn on Saturday.

At the same time, Asselborn was confident that Ankara's reservations could be overcome.

Finland's NATO membership is getting closer: the majority of the government approves the application

First report from March 14, 7:22 p.m.:

Helsinki – Finland’s possible NATO accession in view of the Ukraine war is getting closer.

On Saturday (May 14), the ruling Social Democrats voted in favor of accession by a large majority.

According to the party, 53 of the 60 members of the party leadership voted in favor of joining NATO on Saturday.

Only five members voted against and two abstained.

The formal decision by the government is to be made on Sunday, which then has to be approved by Parliament.

Nothing would stand in the way of the official application to NATO next week.

Ideally, Finland's NATO application should be submitted "together with Sweden", Prime Minister Sanna Marin told journalists on Saturday.

"They have their own procedure, but of course I hope that we will make the decisions at the same time and submit our applications together," said the head of government.

Sweden also wants to decide on a NATO membership application on Sunday.

Finland's NATO plans: Headwind from Turkey - Erdogan expresses his own security concerns

Finland's NATO decision is not only met with criticism from Russia.

Negative statements also came from Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday (May 13).

Erdogan's advisor Ibrahim Kalin explained the statements in more detail on Saturday.

Turkey is not definitely opposed to accession, it has its own security concerns.

Erdogan sees the Scandinavian countries as "guesthouses for terrorist organizations" like the banned Kurdish Workers' Party PKK.

In the past he has accused them of not taking decisive action against the PKK or the Gülen movement.

In theory, Turkey could block Finland and Sweden from joining NATO, since decisions within NATO are based on the principle of consensus.

Finland is confident that it can allay Turkish reservations about its envisaged NATO membership.

"I am sure that we will find a solution to this matter," said Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto on Saturday on the sidelines of consultations with NATO foreign ministers in Berlin.

However, he cannot promise that everything can be solved in one night.

During the debate, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the close ties between the military alliance and the two Nordic countries.

In the run-up to the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Berlin, Stoltenberg tweeted that he spoke to Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto and Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde about "further developments regarding a possible membership application".

The NATO Secretary General also held talks with Turkey.

Finland's NATO bid: Russia calls neighboring country's plans a 'mistake'

Russia, which shares a nearly 1,340-kilometer border with Finland, also reacted critically.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would "definitely" see Finland's NATO membership as a threat.

After a phone call with Finnish President Niinistö, the Kremlin said Vladimir Putin, who is fueling cancer rumors, had “underlined to Niinistö that ending the traditional policy of military neutrality would be a mistake as it poses no threat to Finland's security consists".

As a consequence of its plans to join NATO, Russia stopped supplying electricity to Finland on Saturday.

All further developments on the negotiations in the Ukraine war can be found in the negotiation ticker.