NATO | Russia | Ukraine | Sweden | Finland | How NATO has Expanded Since 1949 and How True It Is “Dangerously Close” to Russia | The world

The I take it It has made it clear that its slogan is to strengthen itself against Russia. In addition to increasing military presence in the Baltic Sea, the Atlantic Defense Alliance formally invited Sweden and Finland to join its ranks, not only in an end to traditional neutrality, but also in the most significant expansion of NATO. The decade and severe setback for Moscow.

On this day of the alliance summit in Madrid, 30 leaders North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) They defined Russia In response to the invasion, “the most important and direct threat to the security of the Allies” Ukraine Launched by the President Vladimir Putin. With this, the “Madrid Strategic Concept”, a document guiding their actions for the next 10 years, ended the “strategic partner” approach they had had with Moscow since 2010.

Meera: NATO leaders formally invite Finland and Sweden to join the alliance

Allies insist that Russia is achieving the opposite of what Russia thought it would be when it launched its war in Ukraine to counter Ukraine’s expansionism. I take it.

Both Finland and Sweden, which share a 1,300-kilometer border with Russia, are now preparing to deploy well-trained soldiers, overcoming Turkey’s veto. I take itwith the aim of giving the Alliance superiority in the Baltic Sea.

“wanted less I take it. Now President Putin is getting more I take it on its borders”, said Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the Alliance.

Russia responded by condemning NATO’s “aggression,” calling Sweden and Finland’s alliance “deeply destabilizing.” “Our position is known and will not change, and we consider the expansion of the Atlantic Alliance to be a particularly disruptive factor at the international level.Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said. “We guarantee our security 100% in any case“, he added.

Critical reinforcement

Since its creation in 1949 to defend Europe against the Soviet Union, NATO has expanded eight times. The alliance with Finland and Sweden will expand its ranks from 30 to 32 member states.

The accession of countries like Lithuania and Latvia to the Helsinki and Stockholm alliances is to strengthen the security of the region and the security of the Baltic states.

Roman Ortiz, a Spanish analyst and expert on international security, points out that this is NATO’s most important eastward expansion.

“Finland and Sweden are the two countries next to Russia. The merger gives the alliance strategic advantages and, above all, an important political boost. Not too long ago, we had French President Emmanuel Macron say the alliance was brain dead, but now NATO plays an important role in containing Russia, but many countries want to join.”, he tells El Comercio.

One of the key lessons from the crisis in Ukraine, he adds, is that if you’re outside, you’re more likely to be attacked than if you’re inside.

By annexing Helsinki, NATO will double its territorial limits with Russia, which will now border six allies: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland – both of which are Kaliningrad- and through the enclave of Norway. Therefore, the new geographical position will allow the alliance to have a more solid and strategic position in the north next to Russia.

Ortiz adds that the merger of Sweden and Finland marks the joining of two military forces in NATO that have a long tradition of being effective and cooperating with the transatlantic alliance, so integrating them is relatively easy. In addition, both countries offer some specialized skills that are important in dealing with Russia, especially as it relates to operations in very cold climates. “These countries have this experience, which improves the capacity of the alliance in this regard.“, explain.

A threat to Moscow?

Moscow has insisted in recent years that NATO expansion threatens its security. For Ortiz, one should not lose sight of the fact that the plans of the Atlantic Alliance were always defensive and not offensive.

On the other hand, he explains that the expansion occurred because the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, using their sovereignty, asked to join the Atlantic Alliance. “This was not an expansion caused by the alliance, but an expansion caused by the Eastern countries not wanting to leave. Now we know they were right, they didn’t want to leave because they feared Russian aggression.“, he says.

“Putin uses this bogus argument to justify his desire to limit the sovereignty of independent states surrounding Russia.He concludes.

Moscow has insisted that the threat did not come from Russia. “This is precisely the alliance that threatens us,” said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

The Russian official stressed that Russia will do everything “to guarantee our security and the security of our allies regardless of any wave of escalation.”