Swedish PM "hasn't ruled out" NATO membership
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Swedish PM says her country will do an analysis of the ongoing situation to take a decision on whether to consider joining the NATO alliance or not.
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Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson
Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson revealed Wednesday that she hasn't ruled out NATO membership in the wake of the war in Ukraine, after having insisted until now on her country's policy of military non-alliance.
"I don't rule out NATO membership in any way," Andersson told Swedish public television SVT, adding that a review of the country's security policy was underway.
The Social Democrat leader indicated that she wanted "to do a thorough analysis of our possibilities in this situation, of the threats and risks associated with them, to take the best decision for Sweden."
Sweden is not a member of NATO and is officially militarily non-aligned, though it is a partner of the alliance. It abandoned its policy of neutrality after the end of the Cold War.
Sparking debate
On February 24, the day Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine, Andersson had ruled out applying for NATO membership.
"In a situation like this, it is important that Sweden's long-standing security policy stays firm. That we are predictable and clear," she said at the time.
On March 8, the prime minister sparked debate when she said a Swedish NATO application risked "destabilizing" the security situation in Northern Europe.
It is noteworthy that Moscow is opposed to Swedish or Finnish membership in the alliance.
Support for NATO membership has soared
In Sweden, support for NATO membership has soared since the start of the war in Ukraine, with around half of Swedes now in favour of joining, according to several opinion polls published since early March.
"This is something that many Swedes are thinking about right now. I am obviously thinking a lot about it too," Andersson highlighted.
The issue is expected to be one of voters' top concerns in upcoming legislative elections in September.
Swedish parties open to NATO membership
Swedish opposition leader Ulf Kristersson of the right-wing Moderates party has said he plans to submit a NATO membership application if he wins a majority in the election.
The far-right Sweden Democrats, currently the country's third-biggest party, have also said they are open to the idea of membership.
The prime minister's Social Democrats have historically been opposed to joining NATO.
However, if the current review were to conclude that it was in Sweden's best interest to abandon its policy of military non-alliance, Andersson indicated that she would "of course" change her party's line.
The war in Ukraine has also led to a debate on NATO membership in neighboring Finland, where a security policy review is also underway.
