finland and sweden nato

Why Sweden and Finland joined NATO

Why Sweden and Finland joined NATO

Was the Swedish and Finnish decision to move into NATO, was that driven by fear of Russia attacking them? Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden, shares his perspective on European politics from Hanoi, Vietnam.

Should Ukraine be offered NATO membership?

GZERO World Clips

Should Ukraine be offered NATO membership?

Finnish leaders know how to have a good time, which is probably why Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto recently sat down with GZERO’s Ian Bremmer to discuss Finland’s NATO ascension. Threats from the Kremlin had kept Finland (and Sweden) from joining the alliance for 75 years. But the invasion of Ukraine changed all that. In May, Finland’s long-serving President Sauli Niinistö rang his old friend, Vladimir Putin, who doesn't seem to be worried about Finland. Finns can see Russia moving its military away from their border, presumably to beef up reinforcements on the frontlines of Ukraine. But that doesn’t mean ascension to NATO has been smooth sailing.