Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the Nordic countries have remained on high alert. Their geographical proximity to Russia, coupled with threats from the Kremlin and acts of sabotage in the Baltic Sea, has placed Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden in a strategic position within Europe’s new geopolitical landscape. In this context, these nations have taken on a leading role in supporting Ukraine and redefining their own defense policies.
During the event “Security in Northern Europe” — attended by Infobae — the ambassadors of these countries to Argentina (with Denmark represented from its embassy in Brasília) analyzed current challenges and the impact of a shifting world order, shaped both by Donald Trump’s return to the global stage and ongoing negotiations between Washington and Moscow.
The diplomats also expressed their support for the long-delayed European Union–Mercosur agreement and addressed recent tensions between Denmark and the United States over Greenland.
“The Ukrainian struggle is not just theirs — it’s for all of Europe, for the international order, for sovereignty, and for territorial integrity,” said Eva Bisgaard Pedersen, Denmark’s ambassador to Brazil. Her country ranks as the fourth largest provider of military aid to Kyiv, contributing approximately €9.4 billion since the conflict began.
Pedersen explained that Denmark’s support goes beyond military aid, encompassing reconstruction efforts and investments in critical sectors such as energy and defense. “We now also direct funds to help Ukraine develop its own arms industry. We’re not just donating weapons — we’re enabling them to build their own defense capacity,” she noted.
The ambassador emphasized that all Nordic countries share the view that Europe must strengthen its military and technological capabilities. “The post-Cold War era is over. Today we face Russian aggression, sabotage, and threats in the Baltic Sea. That’s why we’ve significantly increased our defense spending. Denmark, for example, will raise its defense budget from 2% to 3% of GDP,” she explained.
Finland, in particular, keeps a close watch on Russian movements, given its more than 1,300-kilometer shared border with the country. At her residence in Buenos Aires, Finnish ambassador Nicola Lindertz recalled the 1939 Soviet invasion, known as the Winter War, which left deep scars in the nation’s history. “We had to cede territory, integrate 300,000 displaced people, and rebuild our economy from scratch,” she recalled.
In response to that experience, Finland adopted a comprehensive national security strategy that includes mandatory military service, the protection of critical infrastructure, and civic education — especially in media literacy to combat disinformation. “We call it comprehensive security. It involves government, the private sector, and citizens,” Lindertz explained.
Multilateralism has also remained a cornerstone of Finnish foreign policy. Lindertz recalled that in 1975, Finland hosted the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe — a landmark event that brought together all key actors in the region, including the United States and the Soviet Union. It marked the beginning of a new era of international cooperation that culminated in the end of the Cold War.
Nonetheless, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine prompted Finland to reassess its strategy and ultimately join NATO in April 2023. Since then, the country has contributed over €3 billion in military and humanitarian aid, as well as assistance for thousands of Ukrainian refugees.
“Russia’s invasion has drastically changed Northern Europe’s security landscape,” agreed Halvor Sætre, Norway’s ambassador to Argentina. Although Norway shares a shorter border with Russia (250 kilometers), it possesses a strategic coastline that supplies energy to much of Europe, making it a potential target.
Sætre welcomed the fact that all five Nordic countries are now part of NATO, enabling joint defense planning. “There was cooperation before, but now we can design a fully integrated defense strategy. Together, we have over 200 fighter jets,” he noted. However, he acknowledged the difficulty of rebuilding military capabilities after two decades of reduced defense spending.
When asked about negotiations between the U.S. and Russia, the Norwegian diplomat was clear: “We support anything that could lead to a just and sustainable peace — but Ukraine must be central to any deal, along with Europe.” He added that the war could end immediately if Russia chose to, and warned against a peace settlement that aligns with the Kremlin’s wishes: “That would send the message that wars of aggression can be carried out without consequences — and that is unacceptable to us.”
Echoing this stance, Lindertz stressed the need to maintain pressure on the Kremlin through further sanctions. “It’s not easy — it’s very complex. That’s why we believe Europe must act in unity, take on more responsibility, and invest in its defense industry,” she said.
Swedish ambassador Torsten Sven Ericsson emphasized that Ukraine’s future is critical for Europe. “For Sweden, supporting Ukraine is a moral obligation and an essential investment in European security and independence. We will continue to provide political, humanitarian, military, and economic support,” he said.
Although Sweden doesn’t share a land border with Russia, Ericsson highlighted increasing incidents of sabotage in the Baltic Sea, allegedly carried out by Moscow. “If there’s no security in Northern Europe, there’s no security for Sweden either,” he warned. This concern prompted the Swedish government — with broad public backing — to pivot quickly in favor of joining NATO. “We want it to be clear that Sweden, like Finland, is part of this Western security alliance and covered by Article 5 of collective defense,” he asserted.
Regarding the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine, Sætre was unequivocal: “It’s not currently under discussion for Norway — it’s not realistic.” Lindertz noted that due to Finland’s long border with Russia, its troops must remain on national soil. In contrast, Sweden and Denmark remain open to the idea of troop deployment — but only within the framework of a peace agreement accepted by both Ukraine and Europe.
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