Finland and Sweden Abandon Historic Neutrality Policy... Russia Completely Isolated in Northern Europe (Comprehensive)

Finland Ends Neutrality After 74 Years, Sweden After 208 Years
Russia Isolated on All Sides in the Baltic Sea... Kaliningrad Surrounded
Neutral Countries Like Switzerland and Austria Contemplate NATO Membership

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Finland and Sweden, historically representative neutral countries in Europe, have abandoned their long-standing neutrality policies and are now actively moving toward joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), signaling a significant shift in the European security landscape.

On the 15th (local time), Sweden's ruling Social Democratic Party issued a statement declaring, "After a special meeting, we have decided to support NATO membership," adding, "We will reject the deployment of nuclear weapons or the long-term stationing of NATO troops on our territory." The Swedish parliament is scheduled to hold discussions regarding NATO membership on the 16th.

The statement came shortly after neighboring Finland officially announced its application for NATO membership. Finnish President Sauli Niinist? and Prime Minister Sanna Marin held a joint press conference, stating, "After consultations with the government's foreign policy committee and parliament, we have jointly agreed to apply for NATO membership," adding, "This is a historic day and marks the beginning of a new era." Finland plans to submit its NATO membership application on the 16th.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, described Finland and Sweden's NATO accession as a "turning point for European security," assuring that "the accession process will proceed swiftly." Bloomberg News evaluated this as "the most significant change since Germany's increase in defense spending following Russia's invasion of Ukraine."

◆Russia Seals Off Maritime Activities in Europe, Deepening Geopolitical Isolation

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to the British BBC, Finland and Sweden's declarations to join NATO officially ended their neutrality policies that had lasted 74 and 208 years, respectively. Since World War II and throughout the Cold War, both countries served as buffer zones between the West and Russia.

With their NATO membership declarations, Russia's isolation within Europe is expected to deepen further. CNN reports that Finland, which shares approximately 1,340 km of border with Russia, joining NATO will more than double Russia's border length with Western countries. Russia will now be compelled to strengthen its military presence along the Finnish border, which had previously been of lesser strategic importance, leading to a further dispersion of Russian military resources.

Additionally, Russia's maritime activities in the Baltic Sea are expected to be effectively blocked. According to the British Guardian, if Sweden and Finland, along with other NATO member states, impose a complete blockade on Russian naval and merchant vessels in the Baltic Sea, Russia's only ice-free port and exclave, Kaliningrad, will be cut off from the Russian mainland by sea. Kaliningrad is known to host Russia's Baltic Fleet, a major naval force in Europe.

◆Will Switzerland and Austria Also Join NATO?

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

In Switzerland, a small neutral country that has maintained neutrality for over 200 years since 1814 alongside Sweden, debates over NATO membership are intensifying.

According to AFP, Faelbi Fully, head of Switzerland's Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports' Security Division, stated in an interview with major foreign media, "The Swiss government is discussing security issues such as joint military exercises and ammunition supply with NATO countries," adding, "Ultimately, there may be changes in how Switzerland interprets its neutrality policy."

Since the 1907 Hague Peace Conference, the Swiss government has refrained from participating in any international armed conflicts, including World Wars I and II, and has never provided troops or military equipment to other countries or groups. However, as the security crisis across Europe deepens due to the Ukraine situation, voices within Switzerland advocating for NATO membership and active participation in sanctions against Russia are reportedly growing louder.

According to The New York Times (NYT), other remaining neutral countries in Europe, such as Austria, Ireland, and Malta, are also experiencing debates over NATO membership versus maintaining neutrality. The NYT reported that opposition to maintaining neutrality is increasing amid revelations of war crimes, including civilian massacres, during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

◆NATO, Once Considered Obsolete, Strengthens Its Position Again

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

After the end of the Cold War in the 1990s, NATO was once considered by some to be obsolete, but it is now regarded as having strengthened its position. With Finland and Sweden joining, NATO's strategic and military capabilities will be further enhanced, and the number of Eastern European countries aspiring to join NATO is expected to increase significantly.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) stated, "Even countries that maintained neutrality during the height of the Cold War are now joining NATO, accelerating NATO's expansion," adding, "Since Finland and Sweden have already met NATO's target of allocating more than 2% of their GDP to defense spending, this will provide stronger justification for existing member countries to increase their defense budgets."