Explained: Why Turkey Is Opposing The Membership of Sweden And Finland In NATO

Amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the two other countries have expressed their wish to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Sweden and Finland want to become member nations of NATO but Turkey is opposing their membership.

Finland did not join such alliances to maintain cordial relations with Russia. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the country has decided to join NATO. while earlier Sweden stayed out of NATO due to ideological reasons.

Russia announced that this would have "serious military and political consequences" as this will bring the presence of western countries to its border.

Sweden¡¯s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson with US President Joe Biden and Finland¡¯s President Sauli Niinist? | Photo: AFP

Article 5 on collective defence makes NATO a powerful alliance by providing a security guarantee. It essentially guarantees a military response and protection by NATO countries if any member nation comes under attack.

Why do Sweden and Finland want to join NATO?

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the countries are more concerned about their security to such an extent that the two Nordic countries turned to NATO leaving behind their ideology of not joining any alliance.

Finland shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border and the geographical location of Finland is beneficial for NATO as this would expand the length of borders Russia shares with NATO. It will also strengthen the presence of NATO in the Baltic Sea.

Despite having small military forces (as compared to Russia), the two countries chose to be non-aligned since World War.

In 1917, Finland got independence from Russia and also fought two wars against it during WWII and lost some territory.

In 1948, an agreement of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance was signed between Finland and Russia, isolating militarily from western Europe.

Sweden supports democracy, multilateral dialogue and nuclear disarmament. After the Cold War, Sweden ran down its military expecting the event of any conflict it could delay a Russian advance until help arrived.

In 1995, Both the Nordic countries switched from formal neutrality to military non-alignment after joining the European Union.

Why Turkey is opposing it?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that he will not allow these countries to join NATO because they allegedly support Kurdish militants and other groups that are a threat to its national security.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan | Photo: AP

With NATO¡¯s second-largest army, Turkey has been favouring the expansion of NATO to enhance European security. In fact, the country supported the prospect of Ukraine and Georgia joining the alliance.

The Turkish President objects to their membership because Stockholm and Helsinki are allegedly supporting the banned Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, the leftist extremist group DHKP-C and followers of the US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen who Turkey claims was behind a failed military coup attempt in 2016, as reported by The Indian Express.

Sweden provided refuge to many Kurdish and other exiles in past decades. Furthermore, Sweden and Finland have refused to extradite 33 wanted people by Turkey.

What if Turkey does not approve?

In NATO, the military alliance makes its decision on a consensus basis and any of its 30 countries have the power to veto a new member. Thus, Turkey is expected to veto the inclusion of the two Nordic Countries into NATO.

US President Joe Biden, Sweden¡¯s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finland¡¯s President Sauli Niinist? arrive to speak in the Rose Garden following a meeting at the White House in Washington | Photo: AFP

In return for Turkish support for joining NATO, Turkey is likely to seek to negotiate a compromise deal, curtailing PKK and other groups. The Nordic countries would be asked to stop supporting a Syrian Kurdish group, the Kurdish People¡¯s Protection Units, or YPG - the group is a Western ally fighting against the Islamic State group in northern Syria but Turkey considers it an extension of the PKK.

How did other nations react?

Russia warned that it will take military measures if NATO continues to expand and also threatened Finland with the consequences of this move.

The United States and European Nations have welcomed the decision and Norway and Denmark said they will push for NATO admission faster.

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