Foreign Affairs Forum

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Is threat to Norden - Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden over from Russia.


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Introduction:

As Scandinavian countries nestled in the Northern part of Europe, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, collectively recognized as the Nordic countries, have a long-standing history of interaction with their eastern neighbor, Russia. Russian behavior in the recent past, both in the Ukraine and elsewhere, has sparked security concerns and posed problems for the pre-existing European order.

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Russia has a long history of expansionism and rivalry in the area, and the Nordic nations have always had to worry about this country. Furthermore, they have decided against enlisting in NATO, the organization that provides collective defense in response to Russian aggression in Europe. Russia has long been a threat to these nations, and this has been an ongoing problem. Despite not being members of NATO, these countries continue to face security challenges as a result of Russia's actions.

Events:

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Russia and the Nordic nations have had a complicated history of interaction dating back to the Cold War era and even earlier. Russia's annexation of Crimea and participation in the conflict in Eastern Ukraine are recent noteworthy events. Despite the fact that only Denmark and Iceland are NATO members, these moves by Russia caused a heightened level of alertness throughout the Nordic nations. As a result of this incident, Russia has increased its military activities and presence in the Arctic and the Baltic Sea region, frequently encroaching on Nordic boundaries. As a result, the Nordic nations have strengthened their defensive capacities in response, cooperating closely with NATO, the US, and other regional allies.

Facts:

Several significant facts serve as indicators of the current situation:

EU countries' energy consumption is significantly dependent on Russian natural gas, oil, and coal. Russia is the largest exporter of fossil fuels to the EU, earning billions of dollars annually from this commerce.

The Nordic nations get a sizable amount of natural resources, primarily gas and oil, from Russia. Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway's primary natural gas suppliers as of 2019 were Russia.

Even in the face of escalating tensions, the Nordic nations have maintained a neutral stance and cooperative relationship with Russia. They have, however, also supported the EU's sanctions against Russia as a result of its annexation of Crimea.

The Nordic nations have made an effort to bolster their defensive capacities in response to rising tensions. In addition to signing security pacts with Washington, they have taken part in NATO exercises and hosted US personnel and equipment.

Conclusion:

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In conclusion, the Nordic nations of Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden continue to navigate a complex relationship with Russia, amidst heightened tensions. Despite their reliance on Russian natural resources and a historical commitment to neutrality, the recent actions of Russia have necessitated a bolstering of their defenses and closer alignment with NATO and regional allies. Therefore, while Finland's NATO membership ensures some degree of security, the threat to the other Nordic nations from Russia remains persistent.

 

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