Rethinking Finnish–Swedish relations, Nordic cooperation, and NATO : Discussion Article

Abstract

Two of the long-lasting consequences of the dramatic year 2022 are Finland and Sweden’s decisions to apply for NATO membership, taken on 15 and 16 May respectively. The decisions resulted from the Russian large-scale aggression against Ukraine at the end of February. With and around these decisions, we can see a myriad of adjustments, policy changes, shifts of public opinion, and turnarounds in discourse on security and defence. This article takes up some of these issues and reflects on where they might be leading, not only for Finland and Sweden, but also for Nordic cooperation and NATO in the near future.