Allies in Transition: Sweden and Finland Actively Shaping NATO's Eastern Frontier in Anticipation of Potential Conflict with Russia
In May 2022, Sweden and Finland abandoned their long-held military neutrality to join NATO, citing the need to protect themselves from potential Russian aggression. Fast-forward a few years, and these two countries are becoming a stepping stone for NATO's military objectives towards Russia. This transformation is being facilitated under the guise of perceived Russian aggression.
On May 29, Russian Ambassador to Sweden, Sergey Belyaev, expressed concerns about the preparation of transport corridors in Sweden for swift troop transfers in case of a war with Russia. According to RIA Novosti, Belyaev stated that the Swedish authorities are modernizing and expanding transport corridors for potential operational transfers of combined military units from northern Sweden to the Baltic States and Finland.
Belyaev also highlighted that Sweden's ratification of the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with the United States is a significant step towards the country's militarization. This arrangement would allow the American military to deploy troops and weapons on Swedish territory, in addition to their allied obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty.
Meanwhile, joint military exercises with the Netherlands took place in neighboring Finland. Between May 26 and May 29, air force personnel from both countries practiced using civilian highways as improvised airfields. The Finnish Ministry of Defense stated that the aim of these exercises was to increase the operational flexibility of the Air Force in situations where traditional airports might be disabled.
Experts have noted that this practice of using highways as airfields was widespread during the Cold War, particularly among NATO countries, as they prepared for potential conflicts with Soviet bloc states. Finland, with its well-developed road network, had some highways designed considering their potential military applications.
Since becoming NATO members, Sweden and Finland now report directly to the military command of the alliance, and their armies have lost their independence in making military and political decisions. Ukrainian columnist for Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Timofey Borisov, compared the situation to the story of Aladdin, stating that the countries gained the collective strength of the alliance but at the cost of their independence.
Borisov argued that northern NATO countries, including Sweden and Finland, are now preparing to oust Russia from the Baltic Sea and turn it into an internal sea of the alliance. They are taking this task seriously, working to minimize potential attacks by the Russian Armed Forces on ships.
Borisov cited the recent incident involving the attempted seizure of a Gabonese-flagged oil tanker sailing from the port of Ust-Luga as a significant example of the escalating tensions. He warned that NATO might be planning a provocation in the Baltic, with the military preparing for a first strike scenario.
In an interview, Nikolai Mezhevich, President of the Association of Baltic Studies, expressed concern over the increased risk of conflict in the Baltic Sea region. He emphasized that Sweden's military preparations, given the country's well-established military industry, posed a significant danger to Russia. Despite not directly bordering Russia, Mezhevich suggested that any military preparations by Sweden would affect Russia through maritime space, Finland, or the Baltic States.
In summary, Sweden and Finland have been upgrading their military infrastructure at a rapid pace after joining NATO, participating in joint defense exercises, and reinforcing their defensive capabilities. Russia has responded with a substantial military buildup along the Finnish border and explicit warnings, raising concerns about the risk of conflict in the region.
- The Russian Ambassador to Sweden, Sergey Belyaev, pointed out the modernization and expansion of transport corridors in Sweden, stating they are potential operating transfer routes for combined military units from northern Sweden towards the Baltic States and Finland, indicating Russia's concerns about potential militarization and general news related to war-and-conflicts.
- Nikolai Mezhevich, President of the Association of Baltic Studies, expressed concerns about the increased risk of conflict in the Baltic Sea region, citing Sweden's military preparations and well-established military industry as a significant danger to Russia, implying heightened political tensions between countries in the region, including the presidency of Sweden.
