Former Marine Corps officer appeals to people of Finland, Sweden: Do not join NATO

05/11/2022 / By Arsenio Toledo

Scott Ritter, a former intelligence officer for the Marine Corps, is begging the people of Finland and Sweden to talk to their leaders and reconsider plans to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as doing so will make their lives worse, not better.

Ritter noted that, from the very beginning, the purpose of NATO has never been to defend Western Europe from the Soviet Union. This facade broke down even more in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union when its first goal was to expand as far into Eastern Europe as it could go. (Related: The Ukrainian conflict is a U.S./NATO proxy war, but one which Russia is poised to win decisively – Scott Ritter.)

This goal of territorial acquisition and the destabilization of Russia is what led to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “Russia has said and has been saying since 2009 that if you [NATO] continue to push for Ukrainian membership, we will go to war, and that war will result in the dismemberment of Ukraine,” he said.

Despite NATO’s clear expansionist goals, Ritter lamented the fact that the left-wing governments of Finland and Sweden are still considering joining NATO, supposedly because it could protect them from Russia.

Ritter pointed out that neither Sweden nor Finland has a reason to join NATO. “For what purpose? Russia does not threaten you,” he said. “Russia doesn’t view you as a threat – unless you join NATO, then you’re an existential threat that has to be destroyed.”

“Whatever you think NATO is going to bring, it isn’t going to bring,” said Ritter. “The life you enjoy today is not going to get better, it’s going to get much worse.”

Finland, Sweden expected to announce decisions on NATO applications soon

On May 11, the foreign affairs committee of the parliament of Finland is expected to start drafting a short report for the entire plenary on the numerous hearings it has held since April. This report is expected to contain a recommendation on whether or not Finland should join NATO.

On May 13, Sweden is expected to publish a similar security report regarding the country’s potential membership with NATO. But it is unclear if this paper will involve a concrete recommendation.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and her Social Democratic Party, the largest group in the Finnish parliament, are expected to announce their position on NATO membership on May 14. Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson’s Social Democrats are expected to make a similar announcement a day later.

It is widely expected that both left-wing leaders prefer for their countries to join NATO, but both of their parties have in the past never committed themselves to NATO membership.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, who is also believed to be in favor of NATO membership, is expected to announce a joint proclamation with the Swedish government on NATO membership when he visits Stockholm from May 17 to 18. While his role is largely ceremonial in the Finnish parliamentary republic, he is considered to be a highly influential figure who can draw a lot of support for NATO membership if he speaks out in favor of it.

“Finland’s course will be clear by the time of the visit,” said Niinisto.

If Finland and Sweden join the military alliance, Russia would find itself completely surrounded by NATO nations in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic.

The Kremlin has already warned that Sweden and Finland will face “military and political repercussions” if they decide to join NATO.

Former Russian president and current deputy head of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said NATO membership for both nations would force Russia to strengthen its military presence in the Baltic.

WWIII.news has the latest information regarding NATO’s role in the escalating war in Ukraine.

Watch this episode of “Russia Truth” as veteran and former weapons inspector for the United Nations in Iraq Scott Ritter sends a message to the people of Finland warning them not to join NATO.

This video is from the Russia Truth channel on Brighteon.com.