FINLAND AND SWEDEN'S PATH TO NATO
Loading...
Authors
Post, Kyle R.
Subjects
Sweden
Finland
NATO
neutrality
European Union (EU)
security policy
Russia
Cold War
EU accession
collective defense
non-alignment
Scandinavian security
revanchist Russia
Baltic Sea security
Finlandization
alliance politics
strategic shift
regional security
military alliances
European integration
Finland
NATO
neutrality
European Union (EU)
security policy
Russia
Cold War
EU accession
collective defense
non-alignment
Scandinavian security
revanchist Russia
Baltic Sea security
Finlandization
alliance politics
strategic shift
regional security
military alliances
European integration
Advisors
Gingeras, Ryan
Date of Issue
2025-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
After decades of neutrality and non-alignment, Finland and Sweden made the historic decision to apply for NATO membership in 2022. While this shift was unexpected to some, it was not without precedent. This thesis answers the question of why Finland and Sweden chose to pursue NATO membership by analyzing their historical commitment to neutrality and non-alignment, their evolving security policies, and their gradual integration into Western security institutions following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Additionally, the study examines Russia’s post-Cold War resurgence and increasing aggressiveness, culminating in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as a critical factor in shaping Finnish and Swedish security calculations. The role of domestic public opinion is also assessed to understand how internal political and societal dynamics influenced the decision-making process. Ultimately, this research found that both Finland and Sweden recognized the insufficiency of collective defense guarantees offered by security institutions outside NATO. Russia’s escalating aggression and revanchist rhetoric rendered previous security strategies untenable, leading both countries to conclude that NATO membership was the only viable means of ensuring their national security.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.