EXPLAINER: 'Neutral' Europe recedes as NATO set to expand

With Finland and Sweden taking steps to join NATO, the list of “neutral” countries in Europe appears poised to shrink

BERLIN -- With Finland and Sweden taking steps to join NATO amid Russia's war in Ukraine, the list of “neutral” or nonaligned countries in Europe appears poised to shrink.

Like the two Nordic countries, other nations joined the European Union for its promise economic and political unity without taking sides in the East-West divide that has endured beyond the end of the Cold War.

But security concerns over Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine changed the calculus for Finland and Sweden which have long espoused nonalignment and caused other traditionally “neutral” countries to rethink what that term really means for them. Finland declared Sunday that it wants to join NATO, while Sweden could follow suit as public opinion in both Nordic countries has swelled in favor of membership.

While EU members are committed to coming to each other's defense in case of an external attack, the pledge has largely remained on paper as NATO's might overshadows the bloc's own notions of collective defense.