Swedish government firm on not joining Nato despite Russian aggression

[Celerity]

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson told reporters that Sweden plans to stay out of Nato despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

https://www.thelocal.se/20220224/swedish-government-firm-on-not-joining-nato-despite-russian-aggression/


Stockholmers protest outside the Russian embassy against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT

With the military offensive ordered last night by Russian President Vladimir Putin, “we have entered a new and dark chapter in European history”, Andersson told a press conference. She condemned “a clear violation of international law and against the European security order”.

Despite a debate about Nato membership that has been revived by Ukraine tensions, the Social Democrat leader said Sweden’s position on not joining the defence alliance remained in place.

“In a situation like this it is important that Sweden’s long-standing security policy stays firm. That we are predictable and clear,” Andersson said. “Sweden has been alliance-free for an extremely long time. It has served Sweden’s interests well,” she added.

Earlier in neighbouring Finland, the government also ruled out immediate moves closer to Nato membership. “We have a security policy designed to withstand times of crisis. We will use the means at our disposal, including cooperation with Nato partners,” Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told a press conference.

snip

[SheltieLover]

1. Good luck then as the madman seeks to steal other countries.

[Celerity]

4. we already cooperate with NATO to a large degree

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_NATO#Sweden

In 1949 Sweden chose not to join NATO and declared a security policy aiming for non-alignment in peace and neutrality in war. A modified version now qualifies non-alignment in peace for possible neutrality in war. As such, the Swedish government decided not to participate in the membership of NATO because they wanted to remain neutral in a potential war. This position was maintained without much discussion during the Cold War.

Since the 1990s however there has been an active debate in Sweden on the question of NATO membership in the post–Cold War world. Sweden joined Partnership for Peace in 1994. These ideological divides were visible again in November 2006 when Sweden could either buy two new transport planes or join NATO's plane pool, and in December 2006, when Sweden was invited to join the NATO Response Force. While the governing parties in Sweden have opposed membership, they have participated in NATO-led missions in Bosnia (IFOR and SFOR), Kosovo (KFOR), Afghanistan (ISAF) and Libya (Operation Unified Protector).

The Swedish left wing, including the Social Democratic party, the Green party and the Left party have remained in favour of non-alignment, along with the nationalist Sweden Democrats. The right wing, including the Moderate Party, the Centre party, the conservative Christian Democrats, the Liberal party make up the Swedish parties with representation in the parliament today that are in favour of NATO membership. Former prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt stated on 18 September 2007 that Swedish membership in NATO would require a "very wide" majority in Parliament, including the social democrats, and coordination with Finland.

Sweden signed in 2014, and ratified in 2016, a host country agreement with NATO allowing for NATO forces to conduct joint training exercises on Swedish soil and for NATO member states' forces to be deployed in Sweden in response to threats to Sweden's national security. In October 2014, an opinion poll found for the first time more Swedes in favour of NATO membership (37%) than opposed (36%).

snip


Sweden to join NATO Response Force and exercise Steadfast Jazz

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_104086.htm

[nini]

2. They might learn what FAFO means

Unfortunately, things are changing at a rapid pace and it's not heading in the right direction.

I hope they're right for all our sakes.

[onecaliberal]

3. Dont come crying when the tanks are rolling through your streets.

Anyone who thinks the piece of shit will stop at Ukraine is kidding. The psycho is going for broke.

[Celerity]

5. see post 4

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216391509#post4