Is Nato's Nordic expansion a threat or boost to Europe?
Finland and Sweden, two neutral Nordic countries, are so alarmed by Russia's
invasion of Ukraine that they are both now seriously considering joining Nato, as
early as this summer.compound.present simp active
Russia has warned them not to. It has threatened "a military technical response" if
they do.simple.pres perf act
So, on balance, is Europe a safer or more dangerous place if either or both of these
countries become a part of Nato?complex,press imp act
Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation - is a 30-nation defensive alliance
founded shortly after the end of World War Two. It has its headquarters in Brussels
but is dominated by the massive military and nuclear missile power of the
US.compound,press imp pas.
Finland and Sweden are both modern, democratic countries that fulfil the criteria
for Nato membership. Pres simp act The organisation's chief, Jens Stoltenberg, has
said he would welcome them with open arms and there would be minimum delay
in processing their membership.compound comp. pres perf
US Army Lt Gen (retd) Ben Hodges, who commanded ( past simp act) all US land
forces in Europe, is in no doubt of the benefits of this for the West: simple.pres
simp act
"Sweden and Finland joining Nato is huge - a very positive development. They are
two very strong democracies, and the military of both is very good, capable and
modernised, with remarkable mobilisation systems."compound.pres simp act
In the case of Finland, a form of military integration is already under way. British
tank crews recently went on exercise with a Finnish armoured brigade, together
with US, Latvian and Estonian troops as part of Nato's so-called Joint
Expeditionary Force (JEF). The UK's ministry of defence said the aim was to (
complex . past simp act)
"deter Russian aggression in Scandinavia and the Baltic states".simp. press imp act
So, what is the problem if either or both countries want to join?simp.pres simp act
What is Nato and how is it helping Ukraine?
Russia, and more specifically President Vladimir Putin, does not see Nato as a
defensive alliance. Quite the opposite. He views it as a threat to Russia's security.
Pres simp act. He has watched in dismay as Nato steadily expanded eastwards closer to Moscow - after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.compou.
comp.pews perf act
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