Two maps show NATO’s growth and Russia’s isolation since 1990

A Swedish soldier took part in an exercise on May 17, 2022. Her country, along with Finland, now wants to join NATO.

Jonathan Nakstrand Afp | Getty Images

Russia has become increasingly isolated from the rest of Europe over the past 30 years, and maps of the continent illustrate how drastic the change has been.

Finland and Sweden this week announced their intention to join NATO’s military alliance, ending a decades-long history of military neutrality for both countries. Their plans came after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, ostensibly to stop it from joining NATO.

Russia invaded Ukraine for the first time in 2014 after a civil uprising ousted a pro-Russian leader from the country. Ukraine then sought military training and assistance from Western countries, but was not admitted to NATO.

NATO countries are bound by a treaty to defend each other. Like Ukraine, Finland has a long border with Russia.

Europe in 1990

In 1990, the year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Russian-dominated Soviet Union included Ukraine, the Baltic states, and several other now independent states. The Warsaw Pact, an alliance also dominated by Russia, included six satellite states that are now independent.

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In 1990, the year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Russia dominated the Soviet Union and six Warsaw Pact states.

Brin Bache CNBC

Europe in 2022

Over the past 32 years, Germany has reunited and all former Warsaw Pact countries have joined NATO. Three countries that were once part of the Soviet Union – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – have also joined NATO.

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Since 2022, NATO has expanded to include three former Soviet states and all countries of the former Warsaw Pact.

Brin Bache CNBC

Although Sweden and Finland want to join their northern NATO neighbors, accession could take months or be blocked altogether.

Turkey, a member of NATO since 1952, has opposed the two countries’ accession, calling the Scandinavian countries “guest houses for terrorist organizations”.