Looks like Finland and Sweden are giving it serious consideration. From the NYT live blog on Ukraine:
In a rapid response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and in the face of Moscow’s warnings to NATO to stop its enlargement, Finland and Sweden are seriously debating applications for membership in the alliance and are widely expected to join.
In Helsinki on Wednesday, Finland issued a formal “white paper” on the “fundamental changes in the security environment,” designed to inform parliamentary debate on the issue. Prime Minister Sanna Marin of Finland said a decision would be made “within weeks.”
Standing beside her at a news conference in Stockholm, her Swedish counterpart, Magdalena Andersson, said, “There are of course pros and cons with being a member of NATO, as there are pros and cons of other security choices.” But she added, “I see no point in delaying this analysis or the process” over whether to join.
Both governments have said that it’s got to be both or neither. There will be extensive negotiation between Finland and Sweden before they start talking to NATO and I doubt Sweden will commit before their election in September.
I’m really pleased with the way Ukraine is handling the war right now. They seem to have resisted the urge to make a strong counter push into Eastern Ukraine. When the enemy is making a mistake do not interrupt them. The Russian army is struggling so let them continue to struggle. Too bad about Mariupol but it was somewhat inevitable. Hopefully, the Russian will treat their prisoners properly, but I fear that will not be the case.
Indeed. Let the Russians spend as much effort as possible on pointless tactics and measures. If Ukraine stops them now, it might save the Russians resources that would have been wasted on the pointless activity.
BlockquoteWhen the enemy is making a mistake do not interrupt them. The Russian army is struggling so let them continue to struggle
Perhaps I haven’t followed the news very closely in recent days, but what mistake (apart from deciding to invade to begin with) is Russia currently committing? I was under the impression there’s a lull in the action as they are reorganizing and resupplying units so that they could start a new assault in the east relying on fewer axes of attack, shorter supply lines, and more favorable terrain for armored assaults.
