Sweden and Finland's membership in NATO: a shift in the balance of power in the Baltic Sea and implications for Russia's Baltic Fleet
The accession of Sweden and Finland to the North Atlantic Alliance represents one of the most significant shifts in European security architecture since the end of the Cold…
The accession of Sweden and Finland to the North Atlantic Alliance represents one of the most significant shifts in European security architecture since the end of the Cold War. Both Nordic countries, traditionally known for their neutrality and restraint towards military alliances, decided to make a historic shift in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In quick succession, they abandoned their policy of military non-alignment and became full members of NATO, fundamentally altering the military balance in the strategically important Baltic Sea region.
This step has not only symbolic but above all practical implications for the planning and deployment…