With war next door, Finland, Sweden train with NATO

While Finland and Sweden's partnership with the Atlantic Alliance is nothing new, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed the two militarily non-aligned nations to deepen their cooperation with NATO even further

In a muddy car park in Norway's Far North, Finnish troops show off their military might, lining up rocket launchers, artillery and snowmobiles as they prepare to train alongside their NATO brothers-in-arms.

While Finland and Sweden's partnership with the Atlantic Alliance is nothing new, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed the two militarily non-aligned nations to deepen their cooperation with NATO even further.

Like the previous times Norway has organised the exercise, Stockholm and Helsinki have sent large contingents: 1,600 Swedish troops and 680 Finns.

Nordic nations, whether NATO members or not, are used to cooperating closely. They share the same values, interests and cultures -- and the same neighbour to the east, Russia.

"You don't always agree but you have a bond and... you have to take care of each other."

"But of course there are distant family members in any family, and we welcome all the European friends and even transatlantic cooperation in this regard," he said.

Instead, their participation is aimed at boosting their "interoperability", or ability to fight a war together with other Western countries.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shifted public opinion in the two Nordic nations.

Military officers from the two nations refuse to comment publicly on the politically-sensitive matter, but insist that if and when the time comes for NATO membership, they'll be ready. 

If the Nordic countries were to join NATO, it would "have serious military and political repercussions," Russia's foreign ministry warned in late February.

"But it's clear that with the security situation we have now, we're sending an important signal that there is cooperation and a preparedness to defend our territory," she said.

"I can assure you, on a daily basis ... we have a close cooperation already and the participation in this exercise is a strong signal", said General Jorg Vollmer, who commands NATO's Northern flank.

"We are looking forward (to seeing) how this decision will be made". 

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