The fact that Finland and Sweden have applied for membership in NATO is no trivial matter. It signals profound—and likely irreversible—changes in the European security architecture. FYNSA organized a webinar on this important topic for its clients, featuring journalist Magdalena Guzmán. 

“After the end of World War II, and in the wake of the devastation caused by both wars,” Magdalena noted, “European countries sought ways to ensure that the levels of aggression and destruction experienced in the first half of the 20th century would never be repeated. It was ‘agreed’ (implicitly) that the borders of sovereign countries could not be altered by force. And efforts were made to build an institutional order that would allow them to resolve their differences through the appropriate channels.” 

“Likewise, the presence of neutral countries played a key role in the continent’s stability, as they served as a vital balancing force and point of contact between countries with conflicting interests. The accession of Sweden and Finland to the transatlantic alliance could lead to the dismantling of the last pillar of the ‘architecture of peace’—a structure that helped ensure security in Europe, enabling, together with a solid institutional order, years of peace and stability unlike anything seen in Europe for a long time,” he added.

He also wondered what would change if Finland and Sweden joined NATO. “It would mean significant geopolitical changes. It would strengthen one of the largest military alliances in history; the border between NATO and Russia would extend 1,300 kilometers; and the Baltic Sea would become a ‘NATO lake,’ effectively cutting off Russia’s access to the Atlantic. “Finland and Sweden could be the tip of the iceberg of fundamental changes in Europe’s security architecture,”, Magdalena said.

You can watch the webinar HERE.