Brief

Is neutrality an outdated concept in Europe?

Since the Russian Federation launched its “special military operation” against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, several European states have broken with their respective traditions of neutrality. Urged by the urgency to take up a position, certain States, such as Finland and Sweden, have officially submitted a request to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as full members. Does this mean that the various forms of neutrality in Europe have now become untenable? Or that the neutral Countries’ strategic positions, however specific they may be, are currently changing rapidly? Between the Atlantic Alliance and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) led by Russia, are European States inescapably fated to pick a side? Is the post- USSR piecemeal Europe now giving way to a Europe divided into two blocs?