62.06% Say Finland & Sweden Want to Counter Russia’s Threats

Finland and Sweden’s leaders have declared plans to apply for NATO membership. They announced their intention to join NATO, marking a ‘major’ political move. This follows decades of political neutrality. The move aims to seek an alliance on geopolitical security grounds. Finland and Sweden’s NATO bids have caused quite a stir ever since, despite awareness that there will be a reaction from Russia.

Thus, Real Research launched a survey on Finland and Sweden’s move to join NATO. The survey aims to know what the public has to say about Finland and Sweden’s move, and the politics behind it. Here are the results.  

Highlights

• 71.90% believe that it is necessary to defend and protect one’s country.
• 83.67% follow the news on the Russia-Ukraine war.
•  61.69% think China will react positively to Finland and Sweden’s decision to join NATO.

Finland and Sweden’s NATO Bids Cause a Stir

The survey asks respondents if they are following news about the war in Ukraine. In response, 83.67% say ‘definitely’, and 16.33% say not really. Next, the survey asks respondents if Ukraine’s attempt to join NATO triggered the war. In reply, a majority of 72.90%    say ‘definitely’, whereas 13% say not really.

Moreover, the survey asks why Finland and Sweden now want to join NATO, after the Ukraine war. In response, a whopping 62.06% say ‘to deter Russia’s threats of retaliation.’ Similarly, 11.69% believe that in case of invasion, non-members cannot be guaranteed any security.

Accordingly, 6.42% say becoming a member will gain them significant European security and defense. Whereas, 6.14% think it is due to the prolonged war in Ukraine. On the other hand, 4.92% believe, unlike Ukraine, that both countries don’t rely on Russia for energy.

Reasons Why Russia Doesn’t Want Finland and Sweden To Join NATO

Further on, the survey asks respondents why Finland and Sweden still bid for NATO’s membership despite knowing Russia will retaliate. In reply, a majority of 71.90% say that it is necessary to defend and protect one’s country. Similarly, 14.90% think that the circumstances have changed drastically from the past. Likewise, 11.89% believe that the current situation is grave enough to forfeit neutrality.

Accordingly, the survey inquires why Russia is against Finland and Sweden joining NATO. In reply, all 54.50% say the front line doubles as it borders on NATO member states. Whereas 23.81% feel NATO’s expansion poses a major threat to Russia’s security. On the other hand, 20.35% think it’s because Russia and Finland share a border of 1300 km with the US.

After the news, a Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit was held with former Soviet Union member countries. The survey then asks respondents if this summit will affect Finland and Sweden’s approval to join NATO. The majority (60.05%) say ‘highly likely’, 13.07% say ‘somewhat likely’, 12.36 are neutral, whereas 4.77% feel it’s ‘unlikely’.

The Final Verdict – Finland and Sweden’s move to join NATO

Further on, the survey asks in what way will China react to Finland and Sweden’s decision. On this, 61.69% feel ‘in a positive way’, whereas 21.20% say that it will be taken negatively.

Next, the survey asks respondents if Switzerland will also join NATO, following these two countries. In reply, 49.58% say ‘highly likely’, whereas 17.66% say ‘somewhat likely, and 14.69% remain neutral. However, 4.84% say it is ‘unlikely’ to happen.

In detail, to join NATO, all member countries must support Finland and Sweden to join since there is no voting. The survey asks respondents if both countries will eventually become a part of NATO. In response, a whopping 84.55% say ‘yes’ that they will join NATO. On the contrary, 15.45% say ‘no’ they will not join.

To conclude, the survey asks respondents if they are for or against Finland and Sweden’s NATO bids. A majority of 57.72% are ‘for’ this membership. Whereas, 17.84% are ‘against’ the countries joining NATO.