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Haglund: Sweden and Finland closer to NATO than ever
yle.fi ^ | May 17, 2014

Posted on 05/17/2014 3:58:05 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe

Finland’s Ministry of Defence Carl Haglund says he believes Russia’s actions in Ukraine have brought Finland and Sweden closer to NATO now than they ever were in the past.

During his party’s conference in the southern coastal city of Hanko on Saturday, the Swedish People’s Party (RKP) Chair Carl Haglund spoke of the Ukraine crisis and its ramifications, defending Ukraine’s right to sovereignty and self-determination.

“In a free Europe, every country is free to decide on its own development, without an army situated behind the border threatening to barge in,” said Haglund.

Haglund says he is of the opinion that the crisis in Ukraine has added momentum to the NATO debate in Finland.

“It is a bit of a paradox that Russia’s actions have pushed Finland and Sweden closer to NATO membership than ever before. I doubt that was the Russian intention,” he said.

In his speech, Haglund said he hopes that discussion regarding the defence policy of the country will continue until the next parliamentary election, as Finland needs to engage in a serious debate on the country’s defence and security solutions.

Haglund indicated that he expected his own RKP party to decide its official position on these matters by next year’s party conference at the latest.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: coldwar2; finland; sweden

1 posted on 05/17/2014 3:58:05 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Poland is warning these two countries; “As long as Obama is President, the NATO promises have zero meaning. This you must believe and live with.”


2 posted on 05/17/2014 4:21:14 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: lee martell

I think they all know that President Obama will be gone in less than three years, and that the 5’5” KGB man will still be there.


3 posted on 05/17/2014 5:18:43 PM PDT by ansel12 ((Ted Cruz and Mike Lee-both of whom sit on the Senate Judiciary Comm as Ginsberg's importance fades)
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To: ansel12

Sweden will never join an alliance. They like selling to both sides.


4 posted on 05/17/2014 6:38:01 PM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (Rip it out by the roots.)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

It depends on whether they think their neutrality is too risky because of Putin’s aggression.

The Russian strong man is making everyone have to look at their vulnerabilities.


5 posted on 05/17/2014 6:45:53 PM PDT by ansel12 ((Ted Cruz and Mike Lee-both of whom sit on the Senate Judiciary Comm as Ginsberg's importance fades)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

I think Finland might join before Sweden. Finland was part of Russia, so it knows.


6 posted on 05/17/2014 8:58:59 PM PDT by ExCTCitizen (I'm ExCTCitizen and I approve this reply. If it does offend Libs, I'm NOT sorry...)
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