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Sweden and Finland will apply for NATO membership today. This will be a historical turning point for both countries. The process that led to this decision definitely started with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In fact, this development will be a historical turning point not only for these two countries but also for the entire world.
I don't know whether politicians, including the opposition, and intellectuals in Turkey are aware that the world will be different from now on.
Neutrality was the fundamental principle of the foreign policy of Sweden, which hasn't been in a war for over 200 years. Until the end of the last year, an overwhelming majority of Swedes were in favor of the continuation of this policy.
NATO membership was not something to be thought of. After Russia's ultimatum in December, which was a long list about the reorganization of Europe's security system, an intense anti-Russia campaign was started in the public.
Right-wing politicians and the media carried out an extensive propaganda campaign for NATO membership. The leader of the conservative party said the first thing they will do if they come to power in the election that will take place about four months later will be to submit a petition for membership to NATO.
When the invasion of Ukraine began, the ruling Social Democratic Party was still saying rushing for NATO membership would destabilize the region.
One topic that was specifically discussed in the public was the "Finlandization" of Ukraine. After World War II, Finland had to leave 10 percent of its land to the Soviets and, with an agreement, it had promised to adopt its foreign policy to that of the Soviets. Thus, it had given up on some of its independence.
With the ultimatum it gave to the West, Russia had demanded NATO withdraw from countries that formerly constituted the Warsaw Pact and the Western countries abandon the integration policy towards these countries that Russia defines as "legitimate areas of interest" for itself.
Ukraine was in fact a non-existent state created by Lenin and it would be dependent on Russia in foreign policy. In short, a new security order that would not threaten Russia would be formed.
At the same time, Russia had begun massing troops and preparations for an invasion before the eyes of the CIA and other intelligence organizations. In a few weeks following the invasion, the public opinion in Sweden began to change in favor of NATO.
The Left Party and the Environmentalists opposed NATO membership to the fullest extent. However, the ruling Social Democrats was decisive. In a U turn, the party administration quickly held one meeting after another without consulting the organizational base and decided to join NATO on Sunday.
The next day, on May 16, a vote was held in the parliament and it was decided that Sweden will officially become a NATO member.
Those who are against NATO in Sweden said this process was anti-democratic and the public should be consulted and demanded that such an important decision that would determine the country's future be given by a referendum. However, the latest public opinion polls yesterday showed that 60 percent of the public are in favor of NATO and the rest are against NATO or undecided.
The factor that facilitated this process was that Finland applied intense pressure on Sweden to apply to NATO together. It is known that there is a very close military cooperation between the two countries.
One of the arguments put forward was that security in the Baltic would increase further if the two countries joined NATO at the same time. In a joint press conference today, the leaders of the two countries emphasized that NATO will not have nuclear weapons in Scandinavia, and that the Scandinavian countries will form a bloc within NATO against armament.
The news that Turkey would veto the NATO membership of these two countries was met with caution all over the world. The NATO secretary-general said he hopes this problem will be resolved through negotiations.
The United States of America (USA) administration shares this view. The president of Finland said the problem can be overcome by constructive talks. The government of Sweden also stated a similar opinion.
Aftonbladet, an evening newspaper in Sweden, reported that "The government of Turkey did not extradite a person with nom de guerre 'the Kurdish fox,' who managed the narcotics trafficking in Sweden and all across Europe, was involved in heavy crimes and fled to Turkey, and is bargaining to swap him with about 30 PKK and Gülen Community members."
We will be seeing news and speculations similar to this a lot in the coming days. The president of Finland and the prime minister of Sweden will travel to Washington on Thursday, May 19, to meet Joe Biden.
Sweden's Prime Minister, Magdalena Andersson, openly stated that one issue they will discuss will be Turkey's veto threat. They also know that the main problem of Turkey's administration in the context of NATO is neither Sweden nor Finland. The problem is between the Turkey's administration and the US.
It is constantly repeated that NATO membership will be a historical turning point for Sweden, but there is no enthusiastic response from the people of Sweden. There is silence in the streets and squares.
What about Erdoğan? It is said, "As always, he will initially keep the bargaining price high, and he will eventually compromise."
There is a lot to say about the reliability and righteousness of any party. But it's best to wait and see. (TK/APK/KU/VK)
