ABSTRACT
One relatively quick and easy way to enhance security almost overnight in the Baltic Sea region would be for Sweden and Finland to join NATO. That these two countries, which occupy a substantial part of the territory of the region and the shoreline bordering on the sea, have remained outside of NATO as nonaligned partners is a complicating factor that adds an element of uncertainty to joint Western efforts to meet Russian aggression. Similarly, Swedish and Finnish membership in NATO would block any attempts by Russia to use their territory in an A2/AD move to stop the Alliance from entering the Baltic Sea to provide assistance to its Baltic and Nordic allies. The positive impact of Swedish and Finnish NATO membership would thus be substantial for the entire Nordic and Baltic region. The partnership cooperation within the Enhanced Opportunities Programme (EOP) is only one of several instruments utilized by nonaligned Finland and Sweden countries to respond to aggressive Russian behavior.
