In the coming days, Sweden will finally join NATO, meaning that the Western defense alliance will almost ring the entire Baltic Sea, which is an important oil trade route for Russia and home to one of its fleets, according to Financial Times. Officially becoming the 32nd member of the US-led alliance at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Sweden will take with it the mid-Baltic island of Gotland, nicknamed a “giant aircraft carrier” that facilitates the defense of the three small Baltic states. By joining NATO, Sweden opens up new opportunities for maritime transportation, as Gotland is located le…