If they apply and then get invaded I’ll have to laugh since Russia has never shown any indication that they consider either of the countries to be a threat.
Right now I don't think Russia is in a condition to invade anyone else for a while, and having withdrawn units from Kaliningrad it would be even more foolish for Russia to attack NATO.
"The Winter War,[F 6] also known as the First Soviet-Finnish War, was a war between the Soviet Union and Finland. The war began with a Soviet invasion of Finland on 30 November 1939, three months after the outbreak of World War II, and ended three and a half months later with the Moscow Peace Treaty on 13 March 1940."
“If they apply and then get invaded I’ll have to laugh since Russia has never shown any indication that they consider either of the countries to be a threat.”
Two Russian warplanes armed with nukes violated Swedish airspace (not just their ADIZ) last month.
And Russia has issued numerous threats at both Finland and Sweden should they join NATO. The effect of said threats being to cause these two countries to actively seek NATO membership.
Sweden in particular punches way above their weight and should Russia attack Sweden the Swedish policy is to bring the war to Russia. And they absolutely can deliver on that policy.
Someone has to ask the Russians.. what exactly is a “threat” to Russia ? Some country threatening to invade and occupy Russian territory ? Or fire nuclear missiles into Russia for no reason ?
Russia was sending warplanes to probe Sweden recently.
They have have been threatening to take Finnish islands open up Konnesberg (or Kalingrad as they call it)
So right now, Russia is that guy at the bar who decided to fight the little guy who annoyed him. Now all the other people are looking at him like “Do we fight him now or later?”
Because Russia will push west.
Agree. ATM - Norway fortunately is staying neutral.