Why is it a big event for Finland, Sweden to join NATO?

ফিনল্যান্ড, সুইডেনের ন্যাটোতে যোগদান কেন বড় ঘটনা?

This is the fastest expansion of NATO at any given time and which could reshape Europe's security map. Finnish leaders said on Thursday that Finland would join NATO, the world's largest military alliance, "without delay" due to Russia's attack on Ukraine. Sweden could follow in their footsteps.

If the two countries applied for membership, it would have far-reaching effects beyond Northern Europe and trans-Atlantic security. No doubt this will upset their big neighbor Russia. Moscow is citing the ongoing expansion of NATO on its border as one of the reasons for the war in Ukraine. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. The Kremlin said on Thursday that the decision would not improve security in Europe.

The Associated Press (AP) reports that Finland and Sweden are important members of the 30-nation NATO alliance.

Unlike Switzerland, Finland and Sweden have traditionally considered themselves militarily "alliance neutral". But Russia's war in Ukraine and Putin's desire to build a Moscow-centric sphere of influence have dealt a major blow to the two countries' sense of security. After Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the attitude of the people of the two countries towards joining the NATO alliance changed dramatically.

For several years, Finland's support for joining NATO was about 20-30 percent. Now it has risen to 70 percent. The two countries are close allies of NATO and have so far maintained good relations with Russia. Russia's role in Finland's foreign policy was particularly important.

Now they are expecting security assistance from NATO allies. Originally from the United States - if Moscow retaliates. Britain promised on Wednesday that it would stand by the situation in cooperation.

Finland and Sweden joining NATO will be able to coordinate joint security and defense with Denmark, Norway and Iceland. Which was not entirely possible under the Nordic Defense Cooperation Agreement. Joining NATO means keeping troops under joint command.

This will strengthen NATO's strategic position in the Nordic region of the Baltic Sea. Where Russian maritime boundaries enter the enclaves of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad in Russia.

Sweden, Finland and Iceland will jointly be located in the heart of the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic. Russia has been demonstrating its military prowess in the North Kola Valley. The integration of NATO is simple and the security of the region can be easily ensured.

The two countries are close partners of NATO. They have been playing a role in the activities and aviation policy of the alliance. Most importantly, they have already acquired the necessary qualifications to become members of the alliance. Both countries are investing in modernizing their armies and new equipment. Finland buys dozens of state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jets from the United States. Sweden also has the best quality Gripen warplanes.

Finland says it is already complying with NATO's defense directive to spend 2% of GDP on defense. Sweden is also increasing its military budget. It is expected that they will achieve the target in 2026.

Putin has demanded that NATO's expansion be stopped. In a May 9 Russia Victory Day speech, he blamed the West for the war in Ukraine. But public opinion in Finland and Sweden indicates he has handed them over to NATO.

Finland in NATO If joined, the alliance's border with Russia will double. In doing so, Moscow will have to focus on securing another 1,300 kilometers of border.

Putin has vowed to take "military, technical" countermeasures if the two countries join NATO. But many troops from Russia's western districts near the Finnish border have been sent to Ukraine. Western military officials say the units suffered heavy casualties in Ukraine.

So far Moscow has done nothing to worry. Occasionally their warplanes violate the airspace of the two countries. The Kremlin said on Thursday that its countermeasures would depend on how close NATO military infrastructure is to the Russian border.

Some NATO officials fear that Russia may deploy nuclear weapons or more hypersonic missiles in the Kaliningrad enclave, in the Baltic Sea. Which is located between Poland and Lithuania.