Neutral country

{{Short description|State which is neutral towards belligerents in a given conflict}}

{{redirect|Neutral nation|the North American indigenous group|Neutral Nation}}

A neutral country is a state that is neutral towards belligerents in a specific war or holds itself as permanently neutral in all future conflicts (including avoiding entering into military alliances such as NATO, CSTO or the SCO). As a type of non-combatant status, nationals of neutral countries enjoy protection under the law of war from belligerent actions to a greater extent than other non-combatants such as enemy civilians and prisoners of war. Different countries interpret their neutrality differently:{{cite book |last1=Lottaz |first1=Pascal |last2=Reginbogin|first2=Herbert|title=Notions of Neutralities |date=2019 |publisher=Lexington |location=Lanham |isbn=978-1-4985-8226-1 |url=https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781498582261/Notions-of-Neutralities}} some, such as Costa Rica have demilitarized, while Switzerland holds to "armed neutrality", to deter aggression with a sizeable military, while barring itself from foreign deployment.

Not all neutral countries avoid any foreign deployment or alliances, as Austria and Ireland have active UN peacekeeping forces and a political alliance within the European Union. Sweden's traditional policy was not to participate in military alliances, with the intention of staying neutral in the case of war. Immediately before World War II, the Nordic countries stated their neutrality, but Sweden changed its position to that of non-belligerent at the start of the Winter War. Sweden would uphold its policy of neutrality until the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. During the Cold War, former Yugoslavia claimed military and ideological neutrality from both the Western and Eastern Bloc, becoming a co-founder of the Non-Aligned Movement.

There have been considerable changes to the interpretation of neutral conduct over the past centuries.Stephen Neff: "Three-Fold Struggle over Neutrality: The American Experience in the 1930s" In: Pascal Lottaz/Herbert R. Reginbogin (eds.): Notions of Neutralities, Lanham (MD): Lexington Books 2019, pp. 3–28

Terminology

A neutral country in a particular war, is a sovereign state which refrains from joining either side of the conflict and adheres to the principle of the Law of Neutrality under international law. Although countries have historically often declared themselves as neutral at the outbreak of war, there is no obligation for them to do so.{{cite book |last1=Neff |first1=Stephen |title=The Rights and Duties of Neutrals: A General History |date=2000 |publisher=Manchester University Press |location=Manchester}} The rights and duties of a neutral power are defined in sections 5{{cite web|url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hague05.asp|title=The Avalon Project – Laws of War: Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers and Persons in Case of War on Land (Hague V); October 18, 1907|website=avalon.law.yale.edu}} and 13{{cite web|url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hague13.asp|title=The Avalon Project – Laws of War: Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers in Naval War (Hague XIII); October 18, 1907|website=avalon.law.yale.edu}} of the Hague Convention of 1907.
A permanently neutral power is a sovereign state which is bound by international treaty, or by its own declaration, to be neutral towards the belligerents of all future wars. An example of a permanently neutral power is Switzerland. The concept of neutrality in war is narrowly defined and puts specific constraints on the neutral party in return for the internationally recognized right to remain neutral.
Neutralism or a "neutralist policy" is a foreign policy position wherein a state intends to remain neutral in future wars. A sovereign state that reserves the right to become a belligerent if attacked by a party to the war is in a condition of armed neutrality.
A non-belligerent state is one that indirectly participates in a war by politically or materially helping one side of the conflict and thus not participating militarily. For example, it may allow its territory to be used for the war effort. Contrary to neutrality, this term is not defined under international law.

Rights and responsibilities of a neutral power

Belligerents may not invade neutral territory,Hague Convention, §5 Art. 1 and a neutral power's resisting any such attempt does not compromise its neutrality.Hague Convention, §5 Art. 10

A neutral power must intern belligerent troops who reach its territory,Hague Convention, §5 Art. 11 but not escaped prisoners of war.Hague Convention, §5 Art. 13 Belligerent armies may not recruit neutral citizens,Hague Convention, §5 Art. 4, 5 but they may go abroad to enlist.Hague Convention, §5 Art. 6 Belligerent armies' personnel and materiel may not be transported across neutral territory,Hague Convention, §5 Art. 2 but the wounded may be.Hague Convention, §5 Art. 14 A neutral power may supply communication facilities to belligerents,Hague Convention, §5 Art. 8 but not war materiel,Hague Convention, §13 Art. 6 although it need not prevent export of such materiel.Hague Convention, §13 Art. 7

Belligerent naval vessels may use neutral ports for a maximum of 24 hours, though neutrals may impose different restrictions.Hague Convention, §13 Art. 12 Exceptions are to make repairs—only the minimum necessary to put back to seaHague Convention, §13 Art. 14—or if an opposing belligerent's vessel is already in port, in which case it must have a 24-hour head start.Hague Convention, §13 Art. 16 A prize ship captured by a belligerent in the territorial waters of a neutral power must be surrendered by the belligerent to the neutral, which must intern its crew.Hague Convention, §13 Art. 3

Recognition and codification

Neutrality has been recognised in different ways, and sometimes involves a formal guarantor. For example, Switzerland and Belgium's neutrality was recognized by the signatories of the Congress of Vienna,{{Cite book |last=Gärtner |first=Heinz |url= |title=China and Eurasian powers in a Multipolar World Order 2.0: Security, Diplomacy, Economy and Cyberspace |date=2023 |publisher=Routledge |others=Mher Sahakyan |isbn=978-1-003-35258-7 |edition= |location=New York |page=xxv |chapter=Great Power Conflict |oclc=1353290533}} Austria has its neutrality guaranteed by its four former occupying powers, and Finland by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The form of recognition varies, often by bilateral treaty (Finland), multilateral treaty (Austria) or a UN declaration (Turkmenistan). These treaties can in some ways be forced on a country (Austria's neutrality was insisted upon by the Soviet Union) but in other cases it is an active policy of the country concerned to respond to a geopolitical situation (Ireland in the Second World War).

For the country concerned, the policy is usually codified beyond the treaty itself. Austria and Japan codify their neutrality in their constitutions, but they do so with different levels of detail. Some details of neutrality are left to be interpreted by the government while others are explicitly stated; for example, Austria may not host any foreign bases, and Japan cannot participate in foreign wars. Yet Sweden, lacking formal codification, was more flexible during the Second World War in allowing troops to pass through its territory.

Armed neutrality

File:Schweizer Armee Füs Gr.jpg

Armed neutrality is the posture of a state or group of states that has no alliance with either side of a war but asserts that it will defend itself against resulting incursions from any party,{{cite book|last=Oppenheim|first=L.|year=1906|title=International Law|volume=11 (War and Neutrality)|publisher=Longmans, Green|location=London. New York and Bombay|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.24440/page/n361/mode/1up?view=theater|access-date=12 June 2023}}, p. 325. making the benefit to a belligerent of entering the country by force not worth the cost.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

This may include:

Military preparedness without commitment, especially as the expressed policy of a neutral nation in wartime, and the readiness to counter with force an invasion of rights by any belligerent power.{{cite web|title=Armed Neutrality|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/armed%20neutrality|publisher=Dictionary.com|access-date=27 April 2014}}
Armed neutrality is a term used in international politics for the attitude of a state or group of states that makes no alliance with either side in a war. It is the condition of a neutral power during a war to hold itself ready to resist by force, any aggression of either belligerent.{{cite web|title=Armed Neutrality Law & Legal Definition|url=http://definitions.uslegal.com/a/armed-neutrality/#|publisher=USLegal|access-date=27 April 2014}}
Armed neutrality makes a seemingly-neutral state take up arms for protection to maintain its neutrality.

The term derives from the historic maritime neutrality of the First League of Armed Neutrality of the Nordic countries and Russia under the leadership of Catherine the Great, which was invented in the late 18th century but has since been used only to refer to countries' neutralities.Leos Müller: "The Forgotten History of Maritime Neutrality, 1500–1800". In: Pascal Lottaz/Herbert R. Reginbogin (eds.): Notions of Neutralities, Lanham (MD): Lexington Books 2019, pp. 67–86 Sweden and Switzerland are independently of each other famed for their armed neutralities, which they maintained throughout both World War I and World War II.Bissell and Gasteyger, The Missing link: West European Neutrals and Regional Security, 1990, p. 117; Murdoch and Sandler, "Swedish Military Expenditures and Armed Neutrality," in The Economics of Defence Spending, 1990, pp. 148–149. The Swiss and the Swedes each have a long history of neutrality: they have not been in a state of war internationally since 1815 and 1814, respectively. Switzerland continues to pursue, however, an active foreign policy and is frequently involved in peace-building processes around the world.{{cite web|title=Switzerland – Knowledge Encyclopedia|url=http://www.americanforeignrelations.com/knowledge/Switzerland.html#ixzz2zljr1fa9

|publisher=Knowledge Encyclopedia|access-date=27 April 2014}} According to Edwin Reischauer, "To be neutral you must be ready to be highly militarized, like Switzerland or Sweden."Chapin, Emerson. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE2DC163AF931A3575AC0A966958260&scp=1&sq=edwin+o+reischauer&st=nyt "Edwin Reischauer, Diplomat and Scholar, Dies at 79,"] New York Times. 2 September 1990. Sweden ended its policy of neutrality when it joined NATO in 2024.

In contrast, some neutral states may heavily reduce their military and use it for the express purpose of home defense and the maintenance of their neutrality, while other neutral states may abandon military power altogether (examples of states doing this include Liechtenstein). However, the lack of a military does not always result in neutrality: Countries such as Costa Rica and Iceland replaced their standing army with a military guarantee from a stronger power or participation in a mutual defense pact (under TIAR and NATO respectively).

= Leagues of armed neutrality =

The First League of Armed Neutrality was an alliance of minor naval powers organized in 1780 by Catherine II of Russia to protect neutral shipping during the American Revolutionary War.See, generally, Scott, The Armed Neutralities of 1780 and 1800: A Collection of Official Documents Preceded by the Views of Representative Publicists, 1918; Karsh, Neutrality and Small States, 1988, pp. 16–17; Jones, Crucible of Power: A History of American Foreign Relations to 1913, 2009, pp. 15–17. The establishment of the First League of Armed Neutrality was viewed by Americans as a mark of Russian friendship and sympathy. This league had a lasting impact of Russian-American relations and the relations of those two powers and Britain. It was also the basis for international maritime law, which is still in effect.{{cite web|last=Vinarov|first=Mikhail|title=The First League of Armed Neutrality|url=http://www.citelighter.com/history/history/knowledge cards/the-first-league-of-armed-neutrality|website=Citelighter.com|access-date=21 April 2016}} In the field of political science, this is the first historical example of armed neutrality, however, scholars like Carl Kulsrud argue that the concept of armed neutrality was introduced even earlier. Within 90 years before the First League of Armed Neutrality was established, neutral powers had joined forces no less than three times. As early as 1613, Lubeck and Holland joined powers to continue their maritime exploration without the commitment of being involved in wartime struggles on the sea.{{cite journal|last=Kulsrud|first=Carl J.|title=Armed Neutrality to 1780|journal=American Journal of International Law}}
The Second League of Armed Neutrality was an effort to revive this during the French Revolutionary Wars.See, generally, Scott, The Armed Neutralities of 1780 and 1800: A Collection of Official Documents Preceded by the Views of Representative Publicists, 1918; Karsh, Neutrality and Small States, 1988, p. 17. It was an alliance with Denmark-Norway, Prussia, Sweden and Russia. It existed between 1800 and 1801. The idea of the league was to protect neutral shipping from being stopped by the British Royal Navy. The British viewed the league as siding with the French and in 1801 attacked and defeated a Dano-Norwegian fleet in the Battle of Copenhagen. After the death of the Russian Tsar Paul I in the same year, the league collapsed.
A potential Third League of Armed Neutrality was discussed during the American Civil War, but was never realized.Bienstock, The Struggle for the Pacific, 2007, p. 150.

Peacekeeping

File:Best 15 (11419866795).jpg]]

For many states, such as Ireland, neutrality does not mean the absence of any foreign interventionism. Peacekeeping missions for the United Nations are seen as intertwined with it.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/protecting-neutrality-in-a-militarised-eu-1.915577|title=Protecting neutrality in a militarised EU|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=2 March 2022}} The Swiss electorate rejected a 1994 proposal to join UN peacekeeping operations. Despite this, 23 Swiss observers and police have been deployed around the world in UN projects.

[http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/topics/peasec/peac/intpo.html International peace-keeping operations.] Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Federal Administration admin.ch. Retrieved 22 December 2013.

Points of debate

The legitimacy of whether some states are as neutral as they claim has been questioned in some circles, although this depends largely on a state's interpretation of its form of neutrality.

===European Union===

There are three members of the European Union that still describe themselves as a neutral country in some form: Austria, Ireland, and Malta. With the development of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy, the extent to which they are, or should be neutral is debated.

For example, Ireland, which sought guarantees for its neutrality in EU treaties, argues that its neutrality does not mean that Ireland should avoid engagement in international affairs such as peacekeeping operations.{{cite web|url=https://www.dfa.ie/our-role-policies/international-priorities/peace-and-security/neutrality/|title=Neutrality – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade|first=Department of Foreign|last=Affairs|website=Dfa.ie}}

Since the enactment of the Lisbon Treaty, EU members are bound by TEU, Article 42.7, which obliges states to assist a fellow member that is the victim of armed aggression. It accords

"an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in [other member states'] power" but would "not prejudice the specific character of the security and defense policy of certain Member States" (neutral policies), allowing members to respond with non-military aid. Ireland's constitution prohibits participating in such a common defence.

With the launch of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in defense at the end of 2017, the EU's activity on military matters has increased. The policy was designed to be inclusive and allows states to opt in or out of specific forms of military cooperation. That has allowed most of the neutral states to participate, but opinions still vary. Some members of the Irish Parliament considered Ireland's joining PESCO as an abandonment of neutrality. It was passed with the government arguing that its opt-in nature allowed Ireland to "join elements of PESCO that were beneficial such as counter-terrorism, cybersecurity and peacekeeping... what we are not going to be doing is buying aircraft carriers and fighter jets". Malta, as of December 2017, is the only neutral state not to participate in PESCO. The Maltese government argued that it was going to wait and see how PESCO develops to see whether it would compromise Maltese neutrality.{{Cite web|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/europe/83085/malta_to_wait_and_see_before_deciding_on_pesco_defence_pact_muscat_says|title=Malta to 'wait and see' before deciding on PESCO defence pact, Muscat says|website=Maltatoday.com.mt|access-date=2 March 2022}}

= Neutrality during World War II =

class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:34em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"

|style="text-align: left;"|"Neutrality is a negative word. It does not express what America ought to feel. We are not trying to keep out of trouble; we are trying to preserve the foundations on which peace may be rebuilt.”

style="text-align: left;"|— Woodrow Wilson

Many countries made neutrality declarations during World War II. However, of the European states closest to the war, only Andorra, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland (with Liechtenstein), and Vatican City (the Holy See) remained neutral to the end.

Their fulfillment to the letter of the rules of neutrality has been questioned: Ireland supplied important secret information to the Allies; for instance, the date of D-Day was decided on the basis of incoming Atlantic weather information, some of it supplied by Ireland but kept from Germany. Ireland also secretly allowed Allied aircraft to use the Donegal Corridor, making it possible for British planes to attack German U-boats in the mid-Atlantic. On the other hand, both Axis and Allied pilots who crash landed in Ireland were interned.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13924720|title=The WWII camp where Allies and Germans mixed|date=28 June 2011|work=BBC News}}

Sweden and Switzerland, surrounded by possessions and allies of Nazi Germany similarly made concessions to Nazi requests as well as to Allied requests.{{cite web|url=http://ww2db.com/country/sweden|title=Sweden in World War II|first=C. Peter|last=Chen|website=2db.com}} Sweden was also involved in intelligence operations with the Allies, including listening stations in Sweden and espionage in Germany. Spain offered to join the war on the side of Nazi Germany in 1940, allowed Axis ships and submarines to use its ports, imported war materials for Germany, and sent a Spanish volunteer combat division to aid the Nazi war effort. Portugal officially stayed neutral, but actively supported both the Allies by providing overseas naval bases, and Germany by selling tungsten.

The United States was initially neutral and bound by the Neutrality Acts of 1936 not to sell war materials to belligerents. Once war broke out, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt persuaded Congress to replace the act with the Cash and carry program that allowed the US to provide military aid to the allies, despite opposition from non-interventionist members.{{cite book| last1=Brinkley | first1= Douglas| last2= Rubel | first2=David

| title= World War II: The Axis Assault, 1939–1940

| year= 2003 | publisher= Macmillan | location= US | pages= 99–106}} The "Cash and carry" program was replaced in March 1941 by Lend-Lease, effectively ending the US pretense of neutrality.

Sweden also made concessions to the German Reich during the war to maintain its neutrality, the biggest concession was to let the 163rd German Infantry Division to be transferred from Norway to Finland by Swedish trains, to aid the Finns in the Continuation War. The decision caused a political "Midsummer Crisis" of 1941, about Sweden's neutrality.

Equally, Vatican City made various diplomatic concessions to the Axis and Allied powers alike, while still keeping to the rules of the Law of Neutrality. The Holy See has been criticized—but largely exonerated later—for its silence on moral issues of the war.Pascal Lottaz and Florentino Rodao: "The Vatican, World War II, and Asia: Lessons of Neutral Diplomacy", In: Pascal Lottaz/Herbert R. Reginbogin (eds.): Notions of Neutralities, Lanham (MD): Lexington Books 2019, pp. 215–238.

= Imperialism and anti-imperialism =

Neutrality and neutral countries have been an important but also challenging element in the history of imperialist power-play, as a space for the formation of internationalism and various anti-imperialisms.{{cite web | title=Neutrality: the hope of living in peace amid war | website=Encyclopédie d’histoire numérique de l’Europe | url=https://ehne.fr/en/encyclopedia/themes/international-relations/europe-and-legal-regulation-international-relations/neutrality-hope-living-in-peace-amid-war | access-date=2025-01-21}}{{cite book | title=Propaganda and Neutrality: Global Case Studies in the 20th Century | chapter=Neutrality and (anti-)Imperialism. Multinational propaganda competition in neutral Macau

|author=Helena F. S. Lopes | publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing Plc | date=2023 | isbn=978-1-350-32556-2 | doi=10.5040/9781350325562 | doi-access=free | page=181-194}}{{cite web | title=A question of neutrality: Switzerland’s role in 19th-century imperialism | website=Penn Today | date=2023-08-15 | url=https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/question-neutrality-switzerlands-role-19th-century-imperialism | access-date=2025-01-21}}

List of countries proclaiming to be neutral

Some countries may occasionally claim to be "neutral" but not comply with the internationally agreed upon definition of neutrality as listed above.{{Cite web |title=Neutral Countries 2022 |url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/neutral-countries |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=worldpopulationreview.com}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col" \| State ! scope="col" \| Period(s) of neutrality ! class=unsortable\|Notes
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Andorra}} \| 1914–present \| Occupied by France during the Andorran Revolution. Neutral during World War I and World War II.{{cite web\|url=http://diposit.ub.edu/dspace/bitstream/2445/66337/1/TFG%20Esteves%20Lorenzo%2C%20Sergi.pdf\|title=Exili i evasions al Principat d'Andorra durant la Guerra Civil Espanyola i la Segona Guerra Mundial 1936–1945\|website=Diposit.ub.edu\|access-date=26 March 2019}}{{Cite web\|url=https://blocs.mesvilaweb.cat/txemabofill/entrevista-a-enric-melich-gutierrez-maquis-de-la-resistencia-francesa-passador-de-jueus-i-clandestins-activista-anarquista-llibreter-i-sindicalista/\|title=Entrevista a Enric Melich Gutiérrez, maquis de la resistència francesa, passador de jueus i clandestins, activista anarquista, llibreter i sindicalista – En contra\|date=21 July 2012\|website=Blocs de VilaWeb}}{{cite web\|url=https://www.cossetania.com/la-crulla-andorrana-de-1933-la-revoluci-de-la-modernitat-939\|title=La cruïlla andorrana de 1933: la revolució de la modernitat\|website=Cossetania.com\|access-date=22 January 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090415/https://www.cossetania.com/la-crulla-andorrana-de-1933-la-revoluci-de-la-modernitat-939\|archive-date=27 March 2019\|url-status=dead}}{{cite web\|url=http://aquiradioandorra.free.fr/DocumentsInedits/1944-08-15-Lettre.pdf\|title=Letter\|website=Aquiradioandorra.free.fr\|access-date=26 March 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203150323/http://aquiradioandorra.free.fr/DocumentsInedits/1944-08-15-Lettre.pdf\|archive-date=3 February 2019\|url-status=dead}} While serving as a smuggling route between Vichy France and Spain, Andorra made concessions to both sides to maintain its sovereignty.{{cite web\|url=https://publicacions.iec.cat/Front/repository/pdf/00000119/00000079.pdf\|title=L'Andorra 'fosca' i l'Andorra 'generosa 'durant la Segona Guerra Mundial Claudi Benet i Mas\|website=Publicacions.iec.cat\|access-date=26 March 2019}}{{cite book \|last= Guillamet Anton \|first= Jordi \|year= 2009 \|title= Nova aproximació a la història d'Andorra \|publisher= Altair \|page= 216 \|isbn= 978-8493622046}} A United Nations member since 1993.
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Austria}} \| 1955–present \| {{main\|Declaration of Neutrality}} Bound by Constitution of Austria and the 1955 Austrian State Treaty (demanded by Soviet Union at the end of the Second World War and guaranteed by the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and France).{{cite web\|url=http://nato.gov.si/eng/topic/national-security/neutral-status/neutral-countries/\|title=Neutral European countries\|website=nato.gov.si}} The constitution prohibits military alliances and foreign military bases in Austria. An EU Member since 1995: military non-aligned, see points of debate § European Union.
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Costa Rica}} \| 1949–present \| Neutral since its military was dissolved in 1949.{{cite web\|access-date=27 February 2008 \|url=http://dev.prenhall.com/divisions/hss/worldreference/CR/defense.html \|title=Costa Rica \|publisher=World Desk Reference \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211185659/http://dev.prenhall.com/divisions/hss/worldreference/CR/defense.html \|archive-date=11 February 2008 }}{{cite web\|url=http://www.elespiritudel48.org/docu/h013.htm\|website=Elepiritudel48.org\|title=Abolición del Ejército\|access-date=9 March 2008 \|language=es}} Ratified by law in 2014.{{cite web\|url=http://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2014/11/19/actualidad/1416428162_260608.html\|author=Álvaro Murillo \|work=El País \|title=Costa Rica prohíbe por ley participar en cualquier guerra\|access-date=9 March 2008 \|language=es}}
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Ghana}} \| 2012–present \| Attempted neutrality during the Cold War, officially neutral since 2012.{{Cite journal \|last=Anglin \|first=Douglas \|date=May 1958 \|title=Ghana, the West, and the Soviet Union \|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/138765 \|journal=The Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science \|volume=24 \|issue=2 \|pages=152–165 \|doi=10.2307/138765 \|jstor=138765 }}{{cite web\|access-date=15 June 2023 \|url=https://www.institut-ega.org/l/les-pays-neutres-dans-le-monde-en-2020-ideologie-et-statut/# \|title=Neutral countries in the world in 2020: ideology and status \|date=30 June 2020 \|publisher=institut-ega.org}}
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Haiti}} \| 2017–present \| Neutral since 2017.{{cite web\|access-date=15 June 2023 \|url=https://www.institut-ega.org/l/les-pays-neutres-dans-le-monde-en-2020-ideologie-et-statut/# \|title=Neutral countries in the world in 2020: ideology and status \|date=30 June 2020 \|publisher=institut-ega.org}}
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Ireland}} \| 1939–present[http://www.isac-fund.org/download/NEUTRALNOST-ENG-F-2WEB.pdf Neutrality in the 21st century - Lessons for Serbia]. ISAC Fond. 2013. \| {{main\|Irish neutrality}} Established a policy of neutrality during World War II, known as the Emergency in Ireland. Despite this policy, Ireland made concessions to the Allied Powers by secretly sharing intelligence and weather reports as well as by repatriating downed Royal Air Force airmen.{{cite web\|last=Burke \|first=Dan \|title=Benevolent Neutrality \|url=http://www.csn.ul.ie/~dan/war/bene.htm \|work=The War Room \|access-date=25 June 2013 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620114156/http://www.csn.ul.ie/~dan/war/bene.htm \|archive-date=20 June 2013 }}{{cite web\|author=Joe McCabe \|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/how-blacksod-lighthouse-changed-the-course-of-the-second-world-war-30319681.html \|title=How Blacksod lighthouse changed the course of the Second World War \|website=Independent.ie \|date=3 June 1944 \|access-date=21 April 2016}} It was believed that Ireland would take the German side if the United Kingdom attempted to invade Ireland, but would take the British side if invaded by Nazi Germany. After the war, it was discovered that Germany had drawn up plans to invade Ireland in order to use the country for launching attacks into the United Kingdom, known as Operation Green. Conversely, had Ireland been invaded, the United Kingdom had drawn up secret plans to intervene in Ireland with the collaboration of the Irish Government to push Germany back out, known as Plan W.John P. Duggan, Neutral Ireland and the Third Reich Lilliput Press; Rev. ed., 1989. p. 223 Ireland was invited to join NATO but did not wish to be in an alliance that included the United Kingdom. Attached the condition of Irish reunification to membership. Was clear that NATO would defend Ireland in the event of war, in part because Northern Ireland belonged to the United Kingdom. An EU Member since 1973: military non-aligned, see points of debate § European Union. Was granted a special acknowledgement in the Seville Declarations on the Treaty of Nice due to its views on the use of force in international politics. Has provided military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War.{{cite news \|last=Gallagher \|first=Conor \|date=27 February 2022 \|title=Ireland to fund provision of non-lethal equipment to Ukrainian military \|url=https://irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/ireland-to-fund-provision-of-non-lethal-equipment-to-ukrainian-military-1.4813568 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227205458/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/ireland-to-fund-provision-of-non-lethal-equipment-to-ukrainian-military-1.4813568 \|archive-date=27 February 2022 \|access-date=27 February 2022 \|newspaper=The Irish Times }}{{cite web \|date=27 February 2022 \|title=Ireland will not contribute to provision of lethal weapons to Ukraine \|url=https://irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40817991.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228141919/https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40817991.html \|archive-date=28 February 2022 \|access-date=27 February 2022}}{{cite journal \|last1=Murphy \|first1=David \|date=27 February 2022 \|title=Ireland 'constructively abstains' from EU arms package \|url=https://rte.ie/news/ireland/2022/0226/1283234-irish-airspace/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227101725/https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2022/0226/1283234-irish-airspace/ \|archive-date=27 February 2022 \|access-date=27 February 2022 \|website=RTÉ.ie}}
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Liechtenstein}} \| 1868–present \| Military was dissolved in 1868.{{cite web\|access-date=27 February 2008\|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/9403.htm\|title=Background Note: Liechtenstein \|publisher=United States Department of State }}{{cite web \|url=http://www.landespolizei.li/Portals/0/docs/pdf-Files/Imagebroschuere_LP_e_end.pdf \|title=Imagebroschuere_LP_e.indd \|access-date=19 November 2014 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516220753/http://www.landespolizei.li/Portals/0/docs/pdf-Files/Imagebroschuere_LP_e_end.pdf \|archive-date=16 May 2013 }}
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Malta}} \| 1980–present \| Policy of neutrality since 1980, guaranteed in a treaty with Italy.{{cite book \|title=The Peacetime Use of Foreign Military Installations Under Modern International Law \|last=Woodliffe \|first=John \|year=1992 \|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff \|location=Dordrecht \|isbn=0-7923-1879-X \|pages=99–100 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JVW8d2NiXSYC&q=italy+malta+neutrality&pg=PA99 \|access-date=11 April 2009}} An EU Member since 2004: military non-aligned, see points of debate § European Union.
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Mexico}} \| 1930–present \| {{Main article\|Estrada Doctrine}} Policy of neutrality since 1930, formulated by foreign secretary Genaro Estrada. Opened its borders in the 20th century to political refugees fleeing Francoist Spain and the military dictatorships of Central and South America. During the presidency of Vicente Fox in the early 2000s, Mexico ignored the previous neutrality policy under foreign secretaries Jorge G. Castañeda and Luis Ernesto Derbez. Whether historical neutrality is to be kept is now internally debated.{{cite web\|author=La Jornada \|url=http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2007/04/27/index.php?section=opinion&article=023a2pol \|title=Adiós a la neutralidad – La Jornada \|publisher=Jornada.unam.mx \|date=27 April 2007 \|access-date=19 September 2013}}
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Moldova}} \| 1994–present \| {{Main article\|Moldovan neutrality}} Article 11 of the 1994 Constitution proclaims "permanent neutrality".{{cite web \|url=http://ijc.md/Publicatii/mlu/legislatie/Constitution_of_RM.pdf \|title=Constitution of the Republic of Moldova \|access-date=18 April 2017 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305233501/http://ijc.md/Publicatii/mlu/legislatie/Constitution_of_RM.pdf \|archive-date=5 March 2009 }} In 2024 Moldova voted to amend its constitution to include the aim of becoming a European Union member state.{{cite web \|last1=Rainsford \|first1=Sarah \|last2=Gozzi \|first2=Laura \|title=Moldova says 'Yes' to pro-EU constitutional changes by tiny margin \|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1wnr5qdxe7o \|website=www.bbc.com \|access-date=25 October 2024 \|date=21 October 2024}}
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Monaco}} \| 1945–present \| A United Nations member since 1993.
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Mongolia}} \| 2015–present \| Mongolia was neutral during World War I, but became a belligerent country in World War II. In September 2015, Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj announced at the United Nations General Assembly that Mongolia would implement a "policy of permanent neutrality," and called on the international community to recognise this policy.{{cite web\|url=http://news.qq.com/a/20151022/011432.htm\|title=Why Mongolia wants to 'permanently neutral' can be authorized for an observation\|publisher=Tencent News\|date=22 October 2015}} Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Panama}} \| 1990–present \| The neutrality of the Panama Canal is enshrined by specific treaty.{{Cite web\|url=http://docs.micanaldepanama.com/en/about-acp/legal-foundations/neutrality-treaty.pdf\|title=Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal \|website=pancanal.com\|access-date=2 March 2022}} Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Rwanda}} \| 2009–present \| After the 1994 genocide, Rwanda announced permanent neutrality in 2009 after joining the Commonwealth of Nations.{{cite web\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8384930.stm\|title=Rwanda becomes a member of the Commonwealth\|work=BBC News\|date=29 November 2009}}{{cite web\|access-date=15 June 2023 \|url=https://www.institut-ega.org/l/les-pays-neutres-dans-le-monde-en-2020-ideologie-et-statut/# \|title=Neutral countries in the world in 2020: ideology and status \|date=30 June 2020 \|publisher=institut-ega.org}} Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
scope="row" \| {{flag\|San Marino}} \| 1945–present \| {{Main\|Battle of San Marino}} Neutral during World War I. Declared its neutrality again in 1939, but following its occupation by Nazi Germany in 1944, the Sammarinese government declared war on the Axis, and joined with British forces in Italy to drive them out.{{cite web \|url=http://worldatwar.net/timeline/other/diplomacy39-45.html \|title=A Timeline of Diplomatic Ruptures, Unannounced Invasions, Declarations of War, Armistices and Surrenders. \|publisher=WorldAtWar \|accessdate=12 August 2009}} A United Nations member since 1992.
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Serbia}} \| 2007–present \| The National Assembly declared military neutrality of the country in 2007.[http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238985121.47 Enclosed by NATO, Serbia ponders next move] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407000013/http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238985121.47 \|date=7 April 2009 }} AFP, 6 April 2009 Serbia is the only state in the Southeastern Europe that is not seeking NATO membership, having been the target of the 1999 NATO bombing, but also due to the ensuing secession of and territorial dispute with Kosovo,{{cite web\|url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/128138.pdf\|title= EU facilitated dialogue: Agreement on Regional Cooperation and IBM technical protocol\|website=Consilium.europa.eu\|access-date=2 March 2022}} as well as a close relationship with Russia.{{Cite journal\|last=Ejdus\|first=Filip\|date=2014\|title=Serbia's Military Neutrality: origins, effects and challenges\|url=https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/cirr.2014.20.issue-71/cirr-2014-0008/cirr-2014-0008.pdf\|journal=Croatian International Relations Review\|language=en\|pages=43–69\|doi=10.2478/cirr2014-0008\|doi-broken-date=1 November 2024}}
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Switzerland}} \| 1815–present \| {{main\|Swiss neutrality\|Switzerland during the World Wars}}{{Further\|Aerial incidents in Switzerland in World War II\|Operation Tannenbaum}} Self-imposed, permanent, and armed, designed to ensure external security. Because of that, it is the most globally known example of a neutral country. The 1815 Congress of Vienna re-established Switzerland and its permanent neutrality was guaranteed by France, Prussia, Russia, the United Kingdom and others. Swiss neutrality was so rigorously defended that the country refused even to join the United Nations until 2002.{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/mar/04/unitednations\|title=Switzerland decides to join UN\|first=Rory\|last=Carroll\|date=4 March 2002\|website=The Guardian}} However, the Swiss Armed Forces participated in the U.S.-led War in Afghanistan; in what the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation described as the nation's "first military deployment since 1815."{{Cite web \|title=Switzerland 'regrets' US sanctions against ICC employees \|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/international-accountability_switzerland--regrets--us-sanctions-against-icc-employees/45830070 \|date=13 June 2020 \|website=SWI swissinfo.ch \|language=en}} During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the United States was given permission to use Swiss airspace for surveillance missions over Iraq.{{cite news \|title=US allowed limited use of Swiss airspace \|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/us-allowed-limited-use-of-swiss-airspace/3176190 \|work=Swissinfo \|date=20 March 2003}} The Swiss adopted sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia in 2022 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web \|title=Switzerland adopts EU sanctions against Russia \|url=https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-87386.html \|access-date=13 October 2022 \|website=www.admin.ch}} Switzerland has previously only put in place sanctions created by the United Nations Security Council.{{Cite news\|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/neutral-swiss-adopt-sanctions-against-russia-2022-02-28/\|title=Neutral Swiss join EU sanctions against Russia in break with past\|newspaper=Reuters\|date=28 February 2022\|last1=Shields\|first1=Michael}} Switzerland has no law that allows it to impose sanctions by itself, it can only adopt sanctions from the UN Security Council, the OECD or the EU.{{Cite web \|title=Eigenständige Schweizer Sanktionen sind vorerst vom Tisch \|url=https://www.parlament.ch/de/services/news/Seiten/2022/20220929130242730194158159038_bsd115.aspx \|access-date=13 October 2022 \|website=Federal Assembly}}
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Turkmenistan}} \| 1995–present \| Declared its complete neutrality and had it formally recognized by the United Nations on 12 December 1995.{{cite web\|url=https://documents.un.org/access.nsf/get?OpenAgent&DS=A/RES/50/80&Lang=E\|title=A/RES/50/80; U.N. General Assembly\|website=Un.org\|access-date=11 July 2024}} This date is designated as a national holiday in Turkmenistan.{{Cite web \|title=Turkmenistan celebrates Neutrality Day \|url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16961.html \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008024713/http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16961.html \|archive-date=2021-10-08 \|access-date=2013-10-20}} Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Uzbekistan}} \| 2012–present \| In 2012, the law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On approval of the Concept of foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan" was adopted.{{Cite web\|url=https://lex.uz/ru/docs/39322\|title=ОБ ОСНОВНЫХ ПРИНЦИПАХ ВНЕШНЕПОЛИТИЧЕСКОЙ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ РЕСПУБЛИКИ УЗБЕКИСТАН\|website=Lex.uz\|access-date=2 March 2022}} Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
scope="row" \| {{flag\|Vatican City}} \| 1929–present \|{{Main\|Vatican City during World War II}} The Lateran Treaty signed in 1929 with Italy imposed that "The Pope was pledged to perpetual neutrality in international relations and to abstention from mediation in a controversy unless specifically requested by all parties" thus making Vatican City neutral since then. Is an observer of the Non-Aligned Movement.

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

! scope="col" | State

! scope="col" | Period(s) of neutrality

! class=unsortable|Notes

scope="row" | {{flag|Andorra}}

| 1914–present

Occupied by France during the Andorran Revolution.
Neutral during World War I and World War II.{{cite web|url=http://diposit.ub.edu/dspace/bitstream/2445/66337/1/TFG%20Esteves%20Lorenzo%2C%20Sergi.pdf|title=Exili i evasions al Principat d'Andorra durant la Guerra Civil Espanyola i la Segona Guerra Mundial 1936–1945|website=Diposit.ub.edu|access-date=26 March 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://blocs.mesvilaweb.cat/txemabofill/entrevista-a-enric-melich-gutierrez-maquis-de-la-resistencia-francesa-passador-de-jueus-i-clandestins-activista-anarquista-llibreter-i-sindicalista/|title=Entrevista a Enric Melich Gutiérrez, maquis de la resistència francesa, passador de jueus i clandestins, activista anarquista, llibreter i sindicalista – En contra|date=21 July 2012|website=Blocs de VilaWeb}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cossetania.com/la-crulla-andorrana-de-1933-la-revoluci-de-la-modernitat-939|title=La cruïlla andorrana de 1933: la revolució de la modernitat|website=Cossetania.com|access-date=22 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090415/https://www.cossetania.com/la-crulla-andorrana-de-1933-la-revoluci-de-la-modernitat-939|archive-date=27 March 2019|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://aquiradioandorra.free.fr/DocumentsInedits/1944-08-15-Lettre.pdf|title=Letter|website=Aquiradioandorra.free.fr|access-date=26 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203150323/http://aquiradioandorra.free.fr/DocumentsInedits/1944-08-15-Lettre.pdf|archive-date=3 February 2019|url-status=dead}} While serving as a smuggling route between Vichy France and Spain, Andorra made concessions to both sides to maintain its sovereignty.{{cite web|url=https://publicacions.iec.cat/Front/repository/pdf/00000119/00000079.pdf|title=L'Andorra 'fosca' i l'Andorra 'generosa 'durant la Segona Guerra Mundial Claudi Benet i Mas|website=Publicacions.iec.cat|access-date=26 March 2019}}{{cite book |last= Guillamet Anton |first= Jordi |year= 2009 |title= Nova aproximació a la història d'Andorra |publisher= Altair |page= 216 |isbn= 978-8493622046}}
A United Nations member since 1993.

scope="row" | {{flag|Austria}}

| 1955–present

| {{main|Declaration of Neutrality}}

Bound by Constitution of Austria and the 1955 Austrian State Treaty (demanded by Soviet Union at the end of the Second World War and guaranteed by the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and France).{{cite web|url=http://nato.gov.si/eng/topic/national-security/neutral-status/neutral-countries/|title=Neutral European countries|website=nato.gov.si}}
The constitution prohibits military alliances and foreign military bases in Austria.
An EU Member since 1995: military non-aligned, see points of debate § European Union.

scope="row" | {{flag|Costa Rica}}

| 1949–present

Neutral since its military was dissolved in 1949.{{cite web|access-date=27 February 2008 |url=http://dev.prenhall.com/divisions/hss/worldreference/CR/defense.html |title=Costa Rica |publisher=World Desk Reference |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211185659/http://dev.prenhall.com/divisions/hss/worldreference/CR/defense.html |archive-date=11 February 2008 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.elespiritudel48.org/docu/h013.htm|website=Elepiritudel48.org|title=Abolición del Ejército|access-date=9 March 2008 |language=es}}
Ratified by law in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2014/11/19/actualidad/1416428162_260608.html|author=Álvaro Murillo |work=El País |title=Costa Rica prohíbe por ley participar en cualquier guerra|access-date=9 March 2008 |language=es}}

scope="row" | {{flag|Ghana}}

| 2012–present

Attempted neutrality during the Cold War, officially neutral since 2012.{{Cite journal |last=Anglin |first=Douglas |date=May 1958 |title=Ghana, the West, and the Soviet Union |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/138765 |journal=The Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=152–165 |doi=10.2307/138765 |jstor=138765 }}{{cite web|access-date=15 June 2023 |url=https://www.institut-ega.org/l/les-pays-neutres-dans-le-monde-en-2020-ideologie-et-statut/# |title=Neutral countries in the world in 2020: ideology and status |date=30 June 2020 |publisher=institut-ega.org}}

scope="row" | {{flag|Haiti}}

| 2017–present

Neutral since 2017.{{cite web|access-date=15 June 2023 |url=https://www.institut-ega.org/l/les-pays-neutres-dans-le-monde-en-2020-ideologie-et-statut/# |title=Neutral countries in the world in 2020: ideology and status |date=30 June 2020 |publisher=institut-ega.org}}

scope="row" | {{flag|Ireland}}

| 1939–present[http://www.isac-fund.org/download/NEUTRALNOST-ENG-F-2WEB.pdf Neutrality in the 21st century - Lessons for Serbia]. ISAC Fond. 2013.

| {{main|Irish neutrality}}

Established a policy of neutrality during World War II, known as the Emergency in Ireland.
Despite this policy, Ireland made concessions to the Allied Powers by secretly sharing intelligence and weather reports as well as by repatriating downed Royal Air Force airmen.{{cite web|last=Burke |first=Dan |title=Benevolent Neutrality |url=http://www.csn.ul.ie/~dan/war/bene.htm |work=The War Room |access-date=25 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620114156/http://www.csn.ul.ie/~dan/war/bene.htm |archive-date=20 June 2013 }}{{cite web|author=Joe McCabe |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/how-blacksod-lighthouse-changed-the-course-of-the-second-world-war-30319681.html |title=How Blacksod lighthouse changed the course of the Second World War |website=Independent.ie |date=3 June 1944 |access-date=21 April 2016}}
It was believed that Ireland would take the German side if the United Kingdom attempted to invade Ireland, but would take the British side if invaded by Nazi Germany.
After the war, it was discovered that Germany had drawn up plans to invade Ireland in order to use the country for launching attacks into the United Kingdom, known as Operation Green.
Conversely, had Ireland been invaded, the United Kingdom had drawn up secret plans to intervene in Ireland with the collaboration of the Irish Government to push Germany back out, known as Plan W.John P. Duggan, Neutral Ireland and the Third Reich Lilliput Press; Rev. ed., 1989. p. 223
Ireland was invited to join NATO but did not wish to be in an alliance that included the United Kingdom.
Attached the condition of Irish reunification to membership.
Was clear that NATO would defend Ireland in the event of war, in part because Northern Ireland belonged to the United Kingdom.
An EU Member since 1973: military non-aligned, see points of debate § European Union.
Was granted a special acknowledgement in the Seville Declarations on the Treaty of Nice due to its views on the use of force in international politics.
Has provided military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War.{{cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Conor |date=27 February 2022 |title=Ireland to fund provision of non-lethal equipment to Ukrainian military |url=https://irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/ireland-to-fund-provision-of-non-lethal-equipment-to-ukrainian-military-1.4813568 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227205458/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/ireland-to-fund-provision-of-non-lethal-equipment-to-ukrainian-military-1.4813568 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022 |newspaper=The Irish Times }}{{cite web |date=27 February 2022 |title=Ireland will not contribute to provision of lethal weapons to Ukraine |url=https://irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40817991.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228141919/https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40817991.html |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022}}{{cite journal |last1=Murphy |first1=David |date=27 February 2022 |title=Ireland 'constructively abstains' from EU arms package |url=https://rte.ie/news/ireland/2022/0226/1283234-irish-airspace/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227101725/https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2022/0226/1283234-irish-airspace/ |archive-date=27 February 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022 |website=RTÉ.ie}}

scope="row" | {{flag|Liechtenstein}}

| 1868–present

Military was dissolved in 1868.{{cite web|access-date=27 February 2008|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/9403.htm|title=Background Note: Liechtenstein |publisher=United States Department of State }}{{cite web |url=http://www.landespolizei.li/Portals/0/docs/pdf-Files/Imagebroschuere_LP_e_end.pdf |title=Imagebroschuere_LP_e.indd |access-date=19 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516220753/http://www.landespolizei.li/Portals/0/docs/pdf-Files/Imagebroschuere_LP_e_end.pdf |archive-date=16 May 2013 }}

scope="row" | {{flag|Malta}}

| 1980–present

Policy of neutrality since 1980, guaranteed in a treaty with Italy.{{cite book |title=The Peacetime Use of Foreign Military Installations Under Modern International Law |last=Woodliffe |first=John |year=1992 |publisher=Martinus Nijhoff |location=Dordrecht |isbn=0-7923-1879-X |pages=99–100 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JVW8d2NiXSYC&q=italy+malta+neutrality&pg=PA99 |access-date=11 April 2009}}
An EU Member since 2004: military non-aligned, see points of debate § European Union.

scope="row" | {{flag|Mexico}}

| 1930–present

Policy of neutrality since 1930, formulated by foreign secretary Genaro Estrada.
Opened its borders in the 20th century to political refugees fleeing Francoist Spain and the military dictatorships of Central and South America.
During the presidency of Vicente Fox in the early 2000s, Mexico ignored the previous neutrality policy under foreign secretaries Jorge G. Castañeda and Luis Ernesto Derbez. Whether historical neutrality is to be kept is now internally debated.{{cite web|author=La Jornada |url=http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2007/04/27/index.php?section=opinion&article=023a2pol |title=Adiós a la neutralidad – La Jornada |publisher=Jornada.unam.mx |date=27 April 2007 |access-date=19 September 2013}}

scope="row" | {{flag|Moldova}}

| 1994–present

Article 11 of the 1994 Constitution proclaims "permanent neutrality".{{cite web |url=http://ijc.md/Publicatii/mlu/legislatie/Constitution_of_RM.pdf |title=Constitution of the Republic of Moldova |access-date=18 April 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305233501/http://ijc.md/Publicatii/mlu/legislatie/Constitution_of_RM.pdf |archive-date=5 March 2009 }}
In 2024 Moldova voted to amend its constitution to include the aim of becoming a European Union member state.{{cite web |last1=Rainsford |first1=Sarah |last2=Gozzi |first2=Laura |title=Moldova says 'Yes' to pro-EU constitutional changes by tiny margin |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1wnr5qdxe7o |website=www.bbc.com |access-date=25 October 2024 |date=21 October 2024}}

scope="row" | {{flag|Monaco}}

| 1945–present

A United Nations member since 1993.

scope="row" | {{flag|Mongolia}}

| 2015–present

Mongolia was neutral during World War I, but became a belligerent country in World War II.
In September 2015, Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj announced at the United Nations General Assembly that Mongolia would implement a "policy of permanent neutrality," and called on the international community to recognise this policy.{{cite web|url=http://news.qq.com/a/20151022/011432.htm|title=Why Mongolia wants to 'permanently neutral' can be authorized for an observation|publisher=Tencent News|date=22 October 2015}}
Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

scope="row" | {{flag|Panama}}

| 1990–present

The neutrality of the Panama Canal is enshrined by specific treaty.{{Cite web|url=http://docs.micanaldepanama.com/en/about-acp/legal-foundations/neutrality-treaty.pdf|title=Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal |website=pancanal.com|access-date=2 March 2022}}
Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

scope="row" | {{flag|Rwanda}}

| 2009–present

After the 1994 genocide, Rwanda announced permanent neutrality in 2009 after joining the Commonwealth of Nations.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8384930.stm|title=Rwanda becomes a member of the Commonwealth|work=BBC News|date=29 November 2009}}{{cite web|access-date=15 June 2023 |url=https://www.institut-ega.org/l/les-pays-neutres-dans-le-monde-en-2020-ideologie-et-statut/# |title=Neutral countries in the world in 2020: ideology and status |date=30 June 2020 |publisher=institut-ega.org}}
Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

scope="row" | {{flag|San Marino}}

| 1945–present

| {{Main|Battle of San Marino}}

Neutral during World War I.
Declared its neutrality again in 1939, but following its occupation by Nazi Germany in 1944, the Sammarinese government declared war on the Axis, and joined with British forces in Italy to drive them out.{{cite web

|url=http://worldatwar.net/timeline/other/diplomacy39-45.html

|title=A Timeline of Diplomatic Ruptures, Unannounced Invasions, Declarations of War, Armistices and Surrenders.

|publisher=WorldAtWar

|accessdate=12 August 2009}}

A United Nations member since 1992.

scope="row" | {{flag|Serbia}}

| 2007–present

The National Assembly declared military neutrality of the country in 2007.[http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238985121.47 Enclosed by NATO, Serbia ponders next move] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407000013/http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238985121.47 |date=7 April 2009 }} AFP, 6 April 2009
Serbia is the only state in the Southeastern Europe that is not seeking NATO membership, having been the target of the 1999 NATO bombing, but also due to the ensuing secession of and territorial dispute with Kosovo,{{cite web|url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/128138.pdf|title= EU facilitated dialogue: Agreement on Regional Cooperation and IBM technical protocol|website=Consilium.europa.eu|access-date=2 March 2022}} as well as a close relationship with Russia.{{Cite journal|last=Ejdus|first=Filip|date=2014|title=Serbia's Military Neutrality: origins, effects and challenges|url=https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/cirr.2014.20.issue-71/cirr-2014-0008/cirr-2014-0008.pdf|journal=Croatian International Relations Review|language=en|pages=43–69|doi=10.2478/cirr2014-0008|doi-broken-date=1 November 2024}}

scope="row" | {{flag|Switzerland}}

| 1815–present

| {{main|Swiss neutrality|Switzerland during the World Wars}}{{Further|Aerial incidents in Switzerland in World War II|Operation Tannenbaum}}

Self-imposed, permanent, and armed, designed to ensure external security. Because of that, it is the most globally known example of a neutral country.
The 1815 Congress of Vienna re-established Switzerland and its permanent neutrality was guaranteed by France, Prussia, Russia, the United Kingdom and others.
Swiss neutrality was so rigorously defended that the country refused even to join the United Nations until 2002.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/mar/04/unitednations|title=Switzerland decides to join UN|first=Rory|last=Carroll|date=4 March 2002|website=The Guardian}}
However, the Swiss Armed Forces participated in the U.S.-led War in Afghanistan; in what the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation described as the nation's "first military deployment since 1815."{{Cite web |title=Switzerland 'regrets' US sanctions against ICC employees |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/international-accountability_switzerland--regrets--us-sanctions-against-icc-employees/45830070 |date=13 June 2020 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en}} During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the United States was given permission to use Swiss airspace for surveillance missions over Iraq.{{cite news |title=US allowed limited use of Swiss airspace |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/us-allowed-limited-use-of-swiss-airspace/3176190 |work=Swissinfo |date=20 March 2003}}
The Swiss adopted sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia in 2022 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |title=Switzerland adopts EU sanctions against Russia |url=https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-87386.html |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=www.admin.ch}} Switzerland has previously only put in place sanctions created by the United Nations Security Council.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/neutral-swiss-adopt-sanctions-against-russia-2022-02-28/|title=Neutral Swiss join EU sanctions against Russia in break with past|newspaper=Reuters|date=28 February 2022|last1=Shields|first1=Michael}}
Switzerland has no law that allows it to impose sanctions by itself, it can only adopt sanctions from the UN Security Council, the OECD or the EU.{{Cite web |title=Eigenständige Schweizer Sanktionen sind vorerst vom Tisch |url=https://www.parlament.ch/de/services/news/Seiten/2022/20220929130242730194158159038_bsd115.aspx |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=Federal Assembly}}

scope="row" | {{flag|Turkmenistan}}

| 1995–present

Declared its complete neutrality and had it formally recognized by the United Nations on 12 December 1995.{{cite web|url=https://documents.un.org/access.nsf/get?OpenAgent&DS=A/RES/50/80&Lang=E|title=A/RES/50/80; U.N. General Assembly|website=Un.org|access-date=11 July 2024}} This date is designated as a national holiday in Turkmenistan.{{Cite web |title=Turkmenistan celebrates Neutrality Day |url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16961.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008024713/http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16961.html |archive-date=2021-10-08 |access-date=2013-10-20}}
Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

scope="row" | {{flag|Uzbekistan}}

| 2012–present

In 2012, the law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On approval of the Concept of foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan" was adopted.{{Cite web|url=https://lex.uz/ru/docs/39322|title=ОБ ОСНОВНЫХ ПРИНЦИПАХ ВНЕШНЕПОЛИТИЧЕСКОЙ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ РЕСПУБЛИКИ УЗБЕКИСТАН|website=Lex.uz|access-date=2 March 2022}}
Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

scope="row" | {{flag|Vatican City}}

| 1929–present

|{{Main|Vatican City during World War II}}

The Lateran Treaty signed in 1929 with Italy imposed that "The Pope was pledged to perpetual neutrality in international relations and to abstention from mediation in a controversy unless specifically requested by all parties" thus making Vatican City neutral since then.
Is an observer of the Non-Aligned Movement.

List of formerly neutral countries

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col" \| State ! scope="col" \| Period(s) of neutrality ! Notes
scope="row" \| Afghanistan \| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I) 1939–1945 (neutral during World War II) \| Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement
scope="row" \| Albania \| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I) 1968 (attempted neutrality during the Prague Spring) \| A NATO member since 2009.
scope="row" \| Argentina \| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I) 1939–1945 (attempted neutrality during World War II) \|{{Main\|Argentina during World War II}} Declared neutrality at the start of the Second World War, even though it was disrupted by the threat of economic sanctions, expulsion of the League of Nations and a very likely invasion out of suspicion of alliance with Nazi Germany by the United States to persuade Argentina to declare war on the Axis Powers, which they did in 1945. A Rio Pact member since 1948. A Major non-NATO ally since 1998.{{cite web \|title=Overview of U.S. Policy Toward South America and the President's Upcoming Trip to the Region \|url=http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/intlrel/hfa44953.000/hfa44953_0.htm \|access-date=19 May 2024}}
scope="row" \| Belgium \| 1839–1914 (to World War I) 1936–1940 (to World War II) \| Neutral stance from Treaty of London until the Treaty of Versailles, after the German invasion and occupation of Belgium. Proclaimed neutrality in October 1936 and severed 1920 accord with France. Neutrality abolished again after World War II following the Battle of Belgium. A NATO member since 1949. Is a member of the European Union.
scope="row" \| Bhutan \| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I) 1939–1945 (neutral during World War II) \| In accordance with the Treaty of Punakha in 1910, which delegated its foreign relations to the United Kingdom, Bhutan became a de facto neutral wartime country.{{cite book \|first=Lham \|last=Dorji \|date=2008 \|title=The Wangchuk Dynasty: 100 Years of Enlightened Monarchy in Bhutan \|publisher=The Centre for Bhutan Studies \|pages=35–37 \|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262373968 \|doi=10.13140/RG.2.1.3780.4889}} Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
scope="row" \| Cambodia \| 1955–1970 (to Vietnam War) \| Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
scope="row" \| Chile \| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I) 1938–1943 (to World War II) \|{{see also\|List of wars involving Chile}} A Rio Pact member since 1948. Provided aid to the United Kingdom during the Falklands War.{{cite web \| title=Chile admits helping UK in Falklands \| website=The Age \| date=27 June 2005 \| url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/chile-admits-helping-uk-in-falklands-20050627-ge0ewn.html \| access-date=20 May 2020}}{{cite book \| last=Freedman \| first=L. \| title=The Official History of the Falklands Campaign, Volume 1: The Origins of the Falklands War \| publisher=Taylor & Francis \| series=Government Official History Series \| year=2004 \| isbn=978-1-135-77589-6 \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-ZSF6bpWm04C \| access-date=20 May 2020 }} Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
scope="row" \| Colombia \| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I) 1933–1943 (to World War II) \|{{main\|Colombia during World War II}} {{see also\|List of wars involving Colombia}} A Rio Pact member since 1948. Sent a battalion to serve in Korea.{{Cite news\|url=https://thecitypaperbogota.com/features/colombias-legacy-with-korea/2974\|title=Colombia's legacy with Korea {{!}} The City Paper Bogotá\|last=Saldaña\|first=Juliana\|date=2 April 2013\|newspaper=The City Paper Bogotá\|access-date=15 February 2017\|language=en-US}}{{cite journal\|last=Coleman\|first=B. L.\|date=October 2005\|title=The Colombian Army in Korea, 1950–1954\|journal=The Journal of Military History\|volume=69\|issue=4\|pages=1137–1177\|doi=10.1353/jmh.2005.0215\|s2cid=159487629 }} Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and a Major non-NATO ally.
scope="row" \| Denmark \| 1864–1940 (after Second Schleswig War to World War II) \| A NATO member since 1949. A European Union member since 1973.
scope="row" \| El Salvador \| 1906–1941 (to World War II) \|{{see also\|Military dictatorship in El Salvador}} Participated in the Multi-National Force – Iraq from 2003 until 2009.{{cite news\|title=El Salvador withdraws last soldiers from Iraq\|url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/El-Salvador-withdraws-last-soldiers-from-Iraq\|access-date=20 December 2015\|publisher=The Jerusalem Post\|date=7 February 2009\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222140804/http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/El-Salvador-withdraws-last-soldiers-from-Iraq\|archive-date=22 December 2015\|url-status=live}}
scope="row" \| Estonia \| 1938–1939 (to World War II) \| Declared its neutrality 1938, but was thereafter forced to allow troops of the Soviet Union to enter in 1939 and was occupied by it 1940 in accordance with the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. A NATO and EU member since 2004.
scope="row" \| Ethiopia \| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I) \| Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
scope="row" \| Finland \| 1935–1939 (to Winter War) 1956–2022 (from return of Porkkala lease area to 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine) \| {{main\|Foreign relations of Finland\|Finland-Russia relations#Finnish NATO membership question}} Treaty of Tartu (Finland–Russia) was signed in 1920 and expired in 1939. The treaty confirmed the border between Finland and Soviet Russia after the Finnish Civil War and Finnish volunteer expeditions in Russian East Karelia. The treaty was signed in Tartu, Estonia. Finlandization Moscow Peace Treaty was signed in 1940, which ended the Winter War. The Interim Peace was in effect from 13 March 1940 to 24 June 1941. Moscow Armistice was signed on 19 September 1944, ending the Continuation War. The final peace treaty between Finland and many of the Allies was signed in Paris in 1947. The YYA Treaty (Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance) was signed in 1948: the Soviets sought to deter Western or Allied Powers from attacking the Soviet Union through Finnish territory, and the Finns sought to increase Finland's political independence from the Soviet Union. The treaty came to an end in 1992. An EU Member since 1995: military non-aligned, see points of debate § European Union. Has provided military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War.{{cite web \|date=28 February 2022 \|title=Finland Sends Defence Material to Ukraine, Considers Sending Weapons \|website=Reuters \|url=https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/finland-sends-defence-material-to-ukrain-idUSKBN2KW0T5 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308085213/https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/finland-sends-defence-material-to-ukrain-idUSKBN2KW0T5 \|archive-date=8 March 2022 \|access-date=28 February 2022}}{{cite news \|last1=Luukka \|first1=Teemu \|last2=Huhtanen \|first2=Jarmo \|last3=Muhonen \|first3=Helmi \|date=28 February 2022 \|title=Suomi lähettää aseita Ukrainalle – Pääministeri Marin: 'Päätös on historiallinen' \|language=fi \|trans-title=Finland sends arms to Ukraine – Prime minister Marin: 'Historical decision' \|work=Helsingin Sanomat \|location= \|url=https://www.hs.fi/politiikka/art-2000008647428.html \|url-status=live \|access-date=28 February 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228190808/https://www.hs.fi/politiikka/art-2000008647428.html \|archive-date=28 February 2022}}{{cite news \|date=24 March 2022 \|title=Pääministeri Marin: Suomi lähettää lisää aseellista apua Ukrainaan \|language=fi \|trans-title=Prime Minister Marin: Finland will send more arms aid to Ukraine \|work=Helsingin Sanomat \|url=https://www.hs.fi/politiikka/art-2000008704740.html \|access-date=2 April 2022}}{{cite news \|date=19 April 2022 \|title=Finland to provide more defence materiel assistance to Ukraine \|work=Ministry of Defence \|url=https://valtioneuvosto.fi/-/suomelta-lisaa-puolustustarvikeapua-ukrainaan?languageId=en_US \|access-date=20 April 2022}} Abandoned neutrality in favor of becoming a NATO applicant in 2022. A NATO member since 2023.
scope="row" \| Greenland \| 1940–1941 (from Fall of Denmark to World War II) \|{{main\|Greenland in World War II}} Greenland exercised its sovereignty after the fall of Denmark in 1940, and declared its neutrality. The United States became a protecting power over the island to ward off Axis invasion, and Greenland later joined the war alongside the U.S. in 1941. A NATO member since 1949 as a part of Denmark.
scope="row" \| Haudenosaunee \| 1783–1917 (to World War I) \| The confederation never made peace with Germany following the end of World War I.{{cite journal \|author=Thomas D. Morgan \|year=1995 \|title=Native Americans in World War II \|journal=Army History\|issue=35 \|pages=22–27 \|jstor=26304400 \|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26304400 \|access-date=29 January 2022 }} They subsequently issued a second war declaration in 1942 following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States joining the war.{{cite book\|title=The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present\|last=Treuer \|first=David \|date= 2019\|publisher=Riverhead Books}}
scope="row" \| Hawaii \| 1854–1898 (to annexation) \|{{main\|Hawaiian rebellions (1887–1895)}} The Kingdom of Hawaii remained neutral for much of its existence, including during the Crimean War and the U.S. Civil War.{{cite journal \|author=David Keanu Sai \|year=2015 \|title=Hawaiian Neutrality: From the Crimean Conflict through the Spanish-American War\|journal=University of Cambridge \|url=https://www2.hawaii.edu/~anu/pdf/Cambridge_Paper_Hawaiian_Neutrality.pdf \|access-date=6 August 2022 }} Monarchy overthrown in a U.S.-backed coup d'état, replaced by a republican government and later an American territorial government. A U.S. state since 1959.
scope="row" \| Hungary \| 1956 (attempted neutrality during the Hungarian Revolution) \| A NATO member since 1999. A European Union member since 2004.
scope="row" \| Iceland \| 1918–1940 (to World War II) \|{{main\|Allied occupation of Iceland\|British invasion of Iceland\|Iceland in World War II\|Greenland in World War II}} The Kingdom of Iceland declared its neutrality in 1940 after the fall of Denmark, but was thereafter invaded and occupied by British troops. The government later requested the United States assume the role of its defense for the duration of the war. A NATO member since 1949.
scope="row" \| Iran \| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I) 1939–1943 (neutral during World War II) \|{{main\|Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran}} Occupied by the Allies in 1941, subsequently declared war on the Axis in 1943. Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
scope="row" \| Italy \| 1914–1915 (to World War I) \| Declared neutrality at the beginning of World War I despite being in a (defensive) alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary. Later renounced neutrality and joined the Allied Powers in exchange for territorial cessions through the secret Treaty of London. A NATO member since 1949. EU member since 1957.
scope="row" \| Laos \| 1955–1975 (ostensibly neutral throughout the Vietnam War) \| The International Agreement on the Neutrality of Laos was signed in Geneva on 23 July 1962, by 14 nations, including the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. However throughout the Laotian Civil War, Laos was fighting the PAVN and Pathet Lao with the help of the United States among other anti-communist countries. Laos's neutrality can therefore be described as a "false neutrality". Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
scope="row" \| Latvia \| 1938–1939 (to World War II) \| Declared its neutrality 1938, but was thereafter forced to allow troops of the Soviet Union to enter in 1939 and was occupied by it 1940 in accordance with the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. A NATO and EU member since 2004.
scope="row" \| Liberia \| 1914–1917 (to World War I) 1939–1944 (to World War II) \|{{main\|Liberia in World War I\|Liberia in World War II}} Liberia declared its neutrality in 1914, later joining after pressure from the United States in 1917. Declared its neutrality again in 1939 at the start of the Second World War, but granted Allied forces early access to its territory. Liberia served as one of the Allies' only sources of rubber during the war when the plantations of Southeast Asia had been taken over by the Japanese.
scope="row" \| Lithuania \| 1939 (to World War II) \| Declared its neutrality 1939, but was thereafter forced to allow troops of the Soviet Union to enter in 1939 and was occupied by it 1940 in accordance with the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. A NATO and EU member since 2004.
scope="row" \| Luxembourg \| 1839–1914 (to World War I) 1920–1940 (to World War II) \| Neutral stance since 1839, abolished through its constitution in 1948. A NATO member since 1949. An EU member since 1957.
scope="row" \| Nepal \| 1858–1914 (to World War I) 1918–1939 (to World War II) \| {{see also\|Nepal in World War II}} Aided the British during the Sepoy Rebellion. Sent troops to serve in the Tajikistani and Somali civil wars under UN supervision. Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
scope="row" \| Netherlands \| 1839–1940 (to World War II) \| Self-imposed neutrality between 1839 and 1940 on the European continent. Ended after the Battle of the Netherlands. A NATO member since 1949. An EU member since 1957.
scope="row" \| Norway \| 1814–1940 (to World War II) \| {{see also\|The Neutral Ally}} A NATO member since 1949.
scope="row" \| Oklahoma \| 1834–1861 (to U.S. Civil War) 1866–1906 (to annexation) \| The Five Tribes which governed Oklahoma remained neutral towards external affairs, before siding with the Confederacy during the Civil War. The U.S. government required the tribes to abolish slavery in exchange for a renewed recognition of their independence. The United States held suzerainty power and significantly reduced Oklahoma's independence in the following decades. A series of mass-demographic shifts later led to the establishment of a U.S.-backed territorial government. A U.S. state since 1907.
scope="row" \| Orange Free State \| 1854–1899 (to Second Boer War) \| {{see also\|Boer Republics}} Conquered by Britain in 1900. Annexed into South Africa in 1902.
scope="row" \| Portugal \| 1932–1945 (neutral during World War II) \| {{main\|Portugal during World War II}} While neutral throughout World War II, Portugal became non-belligerent towards the Allies, as evidenced in the Azores Base. A NATO member since 1949. EU member since 1986.
scope="row" \| Spain \| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I) 1940–1945 (neutral during World War II) \|{{Main\|Spain during World War I\|Spain during World War II}}{{Further\|Meeting at Hendaye\|Operation Felix\|Wolfram Crisis}} While neutral throughout World War I and World War II, Spain did lean towards the Axis, as evidenced by the Blue Division. A NATO member since 1982. EU member since 1986.
scope="row" \| Sweden \| 1814–2022 \| {{main\|Swedish neutrality\|Sweden during World War II}} First nation in the world to declare neutrality in 1814. Formally proclaimed by King Charles XIV John in 1834. Sweden has not been part of a war since 1814. This makes Sweden the nation which has had the longest period of peace. Has adapted policy to protect its interests. During the Finnish Civil War, Sweden intervened on Åland. In World War II it allowed the Nazi Wehrmacht passage through its territory to Finland for the invasion of the Soviet Union, while also protecting refugees from the Nazis. An EU Member since 1995: military non-aligned, see points of debate § European Union. Has nevertheless deployed combat troops to military conflicts overseas under United Nations command as part of ONUC during the Congo Crisis (1961–1964), and as part of UNPROFOR during the Bosnian War (1992–1995). Swedish military forces also participated in the War in Afghanistan, the 2011 military intervention in Libya and the Mali War. Has provided military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War.{{cite news \|last=Storkaas \|first=Adelina \|date=28 February 2022 \|title=Klart: Sverige skickar vapen och skyddsutrustning till Ukraina \|language=sv \|trans-title=Done:Sweden sends weapons and protection gear to Ukraine \|work=SVT \|url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/utrikes/klart-sverige-skickar-vapen-och-skyddsutrustning-till-ukraina \|url-status=live \|access-date=28 February 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228170108/https://www.svt.se/nyheter/utrikes/klart-sverige-skickar-vapen-och-skyddsutrustning-till-ukraina \|archive-date=28 February 2022}}{{cite web \|last=Binnur Donmez \|first=Beyza \|date=28 February 2022 \|title=Neutral countries support Ukraine against Russian war \|url=https://aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-crisis/neutral-countries-support-ukraine-against-russian-war/2518177 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228135356/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-crisis/neutral-countries-support-ukraine-against-russian-war/2518177 \|archive-date=28 February 2022 \|access-date=28 February 2022 \|work=Anadolu Agency}}{{cite web \|last=Ruderstam \|first=Jacob \|date=27 February 2022 \|title=Här är vapnet Sverige skickar till Ukraina: "Kommer ge effekt" \|trans-title=This is the weapon Sweden sends to Ukraine: "Will give effect" \|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/g6O7wA \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228174752/https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/g6O7wA/sverige-skickar-vapen-till-ukraina \|archive-date=28 February 2022 \|access-date=28 February 2022 \|website=Aftonbladet \|language=sv}}{{Cite news \|last1=Stahle \|first1=Nils \|date=23 March 2022 \|title=Sverige skickar fler vapen till Ukraina \|language=sv \|work=SVT Nyheter \|url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/sverige-skickar-fler-vapen-till-ukraina \|access-date=23 March 2022}} Abandoned neutrality in favor of becoming a NATO applicant in 2022.{{Cite web \|author1=Aditi Sangal \|author2=Adrienne Vogt \|author3=Rhea Mogul \|author4=Lianne Kolirin \|author5=Sana Noor Haq \|author6=Matias Grez \|date=17 May 2022 \|title=Sweden signs application for NATO membership \|url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-05-17-22/h_7f1548a7f95fcba29520df12b3e2d514 \|access-date=17 May 2022 \|website=CNN \|language=en}} A NATO member since 2024.
scope="row" \| Texas \| 1836–1846 (to annexation) 1861 (to U.S. Civil War) \|{{Main\|Texas in the American Civil War}} Recognized by the U.S. and European powers, Texas remained neutral in international disuputes during its short existence. Attempted neutrality under Sam Houston in the Civil War, but Houston was overthrown in a coup d'etat and replaced with a pro-Confederate government. Restored as a U.S. state in 1870.
scope="row" \| Thailand \| 1940–1941 (to World War II) \|{{Main\|Thailand in World War II}} Following the end of the Franco-Thai War, Thailand officially adopted a neutral position during World War II. Neutrality lasted until the Japanese invasion of Thailand on 8 December 1941, which led to an armistice and military alliance treaty with the Japanese Empire in mid-December 1941. Following liberation by Allied forces, Thailand would remain in the camp of the anti-communist Western military bloc, sending troops to fight in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
scope="row" \| Tibet \| 1939–1945 (neutral during World War II) \|{{Main\|Tibet (1912–1951)}} While de facto independent under the rule of the Dalai Lama, Tibet was internationally recognized as a province of China. Invaded and annexed by Communist China in 1951.
scope="row" \| Tonga \| 1845–1939 (to World War II) \|{{Main\|Sālote Tupou III\|Solomon Islands campaign\|Guadalcanal campaign}} Tonga retained its sovereignty while a protectorate of the United Kingdom. It declared war on the Axis in 1939 and 1941, respectively. Since the end of the war, Tongan forces have participated minimally in foreign conflicts.
scope="row" \| Turkey \| 1940–1945 (neutral during World War II) \|{{Main\|German–Turkish Treaty of Friendship}} Signed a non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany in 1941. A NATO member since 1952.
scope="row" \| Ukraine \| 1991–2014 (to Russo-Ukrainian War) \| In its Declaration of Sovereignty (1990), Ukraine declared it had the "intention of becoming a permanently neutral state that does not participate in military blocs and adheres to three nuclear free principles" (art. 9). The 1996 Ukrainian Constitution, based upon the Declaration of Independence of 24 August 1991, contained the basic principles of non-coalition and future neutrality.{{cite web \|title=Ukraine's Neutrality: A Myth or Reality? \|url=http://www.e-ir.info/2010/11/30/ukraine%E2%80%99s-neutrality-a-myth-or-reality/ \|access-date=8 September 2014 \|website=E-ir.info}} Such policy of state non-alignment was re-confirmed by law in 2010.{{cite news \|date=4 June 2010 \|title=Ukraine Parliament Ok's neutrality bill \|work=Kyiv Post \|location=Kyiv, Ukraine \|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/ukraine-parliament-oks-neutrality-bill-68612.html}}{{Failed verification\|date=April 2020}} However, the Ukrainian army participated in the U.S.-led Iraq War. Ukraine provided the third-largest number of forces in Iraq.{{cite web \|title=Ukrainians complete mission in Iraq \|date=11 December 2008 \|url=https://www.army.mil/article/15056/ukrainians_complete_mission_in_iraq}} After the annexation of Crimea by Russia and subsequent war in Donbas, Ukraine's parliament voted to drop non-aligned status on 23 December 2014.{{cite news \|date=23 December 2014 \|title=Ukraine votes to drop neutral status \|work=BBC News \|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30587924}} In 2017 Ukraine enshrined the desire to join NATO in its constitution.{{Cite web \|date=12 April 2019 \|title=Розвиток особливого партнерства України з НАТО – Україна – НАТО \|url=https://ukraine-nato.mfa.gov.ua/ua/ukraine-nato/cooperation \|access-date=15 August 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412193031/https://ukraine-nato.mfa.gov.ua/ua/ukraine-nato/cooperation \|archive-date=12 April 2019 }}{{Cite web \|title=Рада закріпила в Конституції курс на ЄС і НАТО \|url=https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-polytics/2635688-rada-zakripila-v-konstitucii-kurs-na-es-i-nato.html \|access-date=15 August 2022 \|website=www.ukrinform.ua \|date=7 February 2019 \|language=uk}}
scope="row" \| United States \| 1914–1917 (to World War I) 1939–1941 (to World War II) \| {{main\|United States non-interventionism}} Pursuant to the non-interventionist policy set forth by George Washington, the U.S. declared its neutrality at the beginning of both world wars. However, it declared war on Germany during World War I in 1917 following the series of German U-boat attacks on American merchant ships supplying war material to the Allies in the Atlantic Ocean and declared war on Japan in World War II in 1941 following the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii. A NATO member since 1949.
scope="row" \| Uruguay \| 1870–1945 (to World War II) \|{{Main\|Uruguay during World War II}} Sent troops to serve in the Tajikistani civil war under UN supervision. A Rio Pact member since 2020.
scope="row" \| Venezuela \| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I) 1939–1942 (to World War II) \|{{main\|Venezuela during World War II}}
scope="row" \| Yemen \| 1939–1945 (neutral during World War II) \| Under the rule of the Mutawakkilite Kingdom, Yemen followed an isolationist foreign policy. It had previously formed an alliance with Italy in 1936, yet it remained neutral for the duration of the war.
scope="row" \| Yugoslavia \| 1940–1941 (to World War II) 1949–1992 (to Yugoslav Wars) \|{{Main\|World War II in Yugoslavia}} Although founding member of the Little Entente committed to it until its dissolution in 1938, after much German pressure the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was forced to declare its neutrality between the Axis and Western powers.[https://books.google.com/books?id=a--6hauBIb4C&dq=yugoslavia+neutrality&pg=PA64 Contemporary Yugoslavia: Twenty Years of Socialist Experiment] by Wayne S. Vucinich and Jozo Tomasevich, Stanford University, p. 64 However, following an anti-Axis coup, Yugoslavia was invaded and subsequently carved up by the Axis. Ever since the Stalin-Tito split in 1949, the SFR Yugoslavia became a buffer zone between the Soviet bloc and the West. Insisting in its neutrality in the Cold War, Yugoslavia became a founder and a leading force of the Non-Aligned Movement.[https://books.google.com/books?id=7mJACwAAQBAJ&dq=yugoslavia+neutrality&pg=PA73 Neutrality and Neutralism in the Global Cold War: Between or Within the Blocs?] by Sandra Bott, Jussi M. Hanhimaki, Janick Schaufelbuehl and Marco Wyss, p. 74 While maintaining its neutrality, Yugoslavia did diplomatically support South Korea and the anti-communist alliance in the Korean War, accusing the Soviet Union of starting the conflict. {{Cite journal \|last=Kulla \|first=Rinna \|url=https://www.cairn.info/revue-les-cahiers-irice-2013-1-page-97.htm \|date=2013 \|title=Europe's Détente and Yugoslavia's Decline \|journal=Les cahiers Irice \|volume=10 \|pages=97–106}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

scope="col" | State

! scope="col" | Period(s) of neutrality

! Notes

scope="row" | Afghanistan

| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I)
1939–1945 (neutral during World War II)

Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement

scope="row" | Albania

| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I)
1968 (attempted neutrality during the Prague Spring)

A NATO member since 2009.

scope="row" | Argentina

| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I)
1939–1945 (attempted neutrality during World War II)

|{{Main|Argentina during World War II}}

Declared neutrality at the start of the Second World War, even though it was disrupted by the threat of economic sanctions, expulsion of the League of Nations and a very likely invasion out of suspicion of alliance with Nazi Germany by the United States to persuade Argentina to declare war on the Axis Powers, which they did in 1945.
A Rio Pact member since 1948.
A Major non-NATO ally since 1998.{{cite web |title=Overview of U.S. Policy Toward South America and the President's Upcoming Trip to the Region |url=http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/intlrel/hfa44953.000/hfa44953_0.htm |access-date=19 May 2024}}

scope="row" | Belgium

| 1839–1914 (to World War I)
1936–1940 (to World War II)

Neutral stance from Treaty of London until the Treaty of Versailles, after the German invasion and occupation of Belgium.
Proclaimed neutrality in October 1936 and severed 1920 accord with France.
Neutrality abolished again after World War II following the Battle of Belgium.
A NATO member since 1949.
Is a member of the European Union.

scope="row" | Bhutan

| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I)
1939–1945 (neutral during World War II)

In accordance with the Treaty of Punakha in 1910, which delegated its foreign relations to the United Kingdom, Bhutan became a de facto neutral wartime country.{{cite book |first=Lham |last=Dorji |date=2008 |title=The Wangchuk Dynasty: 100 Years of Enlightened Monarchy in Bhutan |publisher=The Centre for Bhutan Studies |pages=35–37 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262373968 |doi=10.13140/RG.2.1.3780.4889}}
Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

scope="row" | Cambodia

| 1955–1970 (to Vietnam War)

Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

scope="row" | Chile

| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I)
1938–1943 (to World War II)

|{{see also|List of wars involving Chile}}

A Rio Pact member since 1948.
Provided aid to the United Kingdom during the Falklands War.{{cite web | title=Chile admits helping UK in Falklands | website=The Age | date=27 June 2005 | url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/chile-admits-helping-uk-in-falklands-20050627-ge0ewn.html | access-date=20 May 2020}}{{cite book | last=Freedman | first=L. | title=The Official History of the Falklands Campaign, Volume 1: The Origins of the Falklands War | publisher=Taylor & Francis | series=Government Official History Series | year=2004 | isbn=978-1-135-77589-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-ZSF6bpWm04C | access-date=20 May 2020 }}
Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

scope="row" | Colombia

| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I)
1933–1943 (to World War II)

|{{main|Colombia during World War II}} {{see also|List of wars involving Colombia}}

A Rio Pact member since 1948.
Sent a battalion to serve in Korea.{{Cite news|url=https://thecitypaperbogota.com/features/colombias-legacy-with-korea/2974|title=Colombia's legacy with Korea {{!}} The City Paper Bogotá|last=Saldaña|first=Juliana|date=2 April 2013|newspaper=The City Paper Bogotá|access-date=15 February 2017|language=en-US}}{{cite journal|last=Coleman|first=B. L.|date=October 2005|title=The Colombian Army in Korea, 1950–1954|journal=The Journal of Military History|volume=69|issue=4|pages=1137–1177|doi=10.1353/jmh.2005.0215|s2cid=159487629 }}
Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and a Major non-NATO ally.

scope="row" | Denmark

| 1864–1940 (after Second Schleswig War to World War II)

A NATO member since 1949.
A European Union member since 1973.

scope="row" | El Salvador

| 1906–1941 (to World War II)

|{{see also|Military dictatorship in El Salvador}}

Participated in the Multi-National Force – Iraq from 2003 until 2009.{{cite news|title=El Salvador withdraws last soldiers from Iraq|url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/El-Salvador-withdraws-last-soldiers-from-Iraq|access-date=20 December 2015|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|date=7 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222140804/http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/El-Salvador-withdraws-last-soldiers-from-Iraq|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | Estonia

| 1938–1939 (to World War II)

Declared its neutrality 1938, but was thereafter forced to allow troops of the Soviet Union to enter in 1939 and was occupied by it 1940 in accordance with the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.
A NATO and EU member since 2004.

scope="row" | Ethiopia

| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I)

Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

scope="row" | Finland

| 1935–1939 (to Winter War)
1956–2022 (from return of Porkkala lease area to 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine)

| {{main|Foreign relations of Finland|Finland-Russia relations#Finnish NATO membership question}}

Treaty of Tartu (Finland–Russia) was signed in 1920 and expired in 1939. The treaty confirmed the border between Finland and Soviet Russia after the Finnish Civil War and Finnish volunteer expeditions in Russian East Karelia. The treaty was signed in Tartu, Estonia.
Finlandization
Moscow Peace Treaty was signed in 1940, which ended the Winter War. The Interim Peace was in effect from 13 March 1940 to 24 June 1941.
Moscow Armistice was signed on 19 September 1944, ending the Continuation War. The final peace treaty between Finland and many of the Allies was signed in Paris in 1947.
The YYA Treaty (Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance) was signed in 1948: the Soviets sought to deter Western or Allied Powers from attacking the Soviet Union through Finnish territory, and the Finns sought to increase Finland's political independence from the Soviet Union. The treaty came to an end in 1992.
An EU Member since 1995: military non-aligned, see points of debate § European Union.
Has provided military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War.{{cite web |date=28 February 2022 |title=Finland Sends Defence Material to Ukraine, Considers Sending Weapons |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/finland-sends-defence-material-to-ukrain-idUSKBN2KW0T5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308085213/https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/finland-sends-defence-material-to-ukrain-idUSKBN2KW0T5 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Luukka |first1=Teemu |last2=Huhtanen |first2=Jarmo |last3=Muhonen |first3=Helmi |date=28 February 2022 |title=Suomi lähettää aseita Ukrainalle – Pääministeri Marin: 'Päätös on historiallinen' |language=fi |trans-title=Finland sends arms to Ukraine – Prime minister Marin: 'Historical decision' |work=Helsingin Sanomat |location= |url=https://www.hs.fi/politiikka/art-2000008647428.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228190808/https://www.hs.fi/politiikka/art-2000008647428.html |archive-date=28 February 2022}}{{cite news |date=24 March 2022 |title=Pääministeri Marin: Suomi lähettää lisää aseellista apua Ukrainaan |language=fi |trans-title=Prime Minister Marin: Finland will send more arms aid to Ukraine |work=Helsingin Sanomat |url=https://www.hs.fi/politiikka/art-2000008704740.html |access-date=2 April 2022}}{{cite news |date=19 April 2022 |title=Finland to provide more defence materiel assistance to Ukraine |work=Ministry of Defence |url=https://valtioneuvosto.fi/-/suomelta-lisaa-puolustustarvikeapua-ukrainaan?languageId=en_US |access-date=20 April 2022}}
Abandoned neutrality in favor of becoming a NATO applicant in 2022.
A NATO member since 2023.

scope="row" | Greenland

| 1940–1941 (from Fall of Denmark to World War II)

|{{main|Greenland in World War II}}

Greenland exercised its sovereignty after the fall of Denmark in 1940, and declared its neutrality. The United States became a protecting power over the island to ward off Axis invasion, and Greenland later joined the war alongside the U.S. in 1941.
A NATO member since 1949 as a part of Denmark.

scope="row" | Haudenosaunee

| 1783–1917 (to World War I)

The confederation never made peace with Germany following the end of World War I.{{cite journal |author=Thomas D. Morgan |year=1995 |title=Native Americans in World War II |journal=Army History|issue=35 |pages=22–27 |jstor=26304400 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26304400 |access-date=29 January 2022 }} They subsequently issued a second war declaration in 1942 following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States joining the war.{{cite book|title=The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present|last=Treuer |first=David |date= 2019|publisher=Riverhead Books}}

scope="row" | Hawaii

| 1854–1898 (to annexation)

|{{main|Hawaiian rebellions (1887–1895)}}

The Kingdom of Hawaii remained neutral for much of its existence, including during the Crimean War and the U.S. Civil War.{{cite journal |author=David Keanu Sai |year=2015 |title=Hawaiian Neutrality: From the Crimean Conflict through the Spanish-American War|journal=University of Cambridge |url=https://www2.hawaii.edu/~anu/pdf/Cambridge_Paper_Hawaiian_Neutrality.pdf |access-date=6 August 2022 }}
Monarchy overthrown in a U.S.-backed coup d'état, replaced by a republican government and later an American territorial government.
A U.S. state since 1959.

scope="row" | Hungary

| 1956 (attempted neutrality during the Hungarian Revolution)

A NATO member since 1999.
A European Union member since 2004.

scope="row" | Iceland

| 1918–1940 (to World War II)

|{{main|Allied occupation of Iceland|British invasion of Iceland|Iceland in World War II|Greenland in World War II}}

The Kingdom of Iceland declared its neutrality in 1940 after the fall of Denmark, but was thereafter invaded and occupied by British troops. The government later requested the United States assume the role of its defense for the duration of the war.
A NATO member since 1949.

scope="row" | Iran

| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I)
1939–1943 (neutral during World War II)

|{{main|Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran}}

Occupied by the Allies in 1941, subsequently declared war on the Axis in 1943.
Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

scope="row" | Italy

| 1914–1915 (to World War I)

Declared neutrality at the beginning of World War I despite being in a (defensive) alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary.
Later renounced neutrality and joined the Allied Powers in exchange for territorial cessions through the secret Treaty of London.
A NATO member since 1949.
EU member since 1957.

scope="row" | Laos

| 1955–1975 (ostensibly neutral throughout the Vietnam War)

The International Agreement on the Neutrality of Laos was signed in Geneva on 23 July 1962, by 14 nations, including the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. However throughout the Laotian Civil War, Laos was fighting the PAVN and Pathet Lao with the help of the United States among other anti-communist countries. Laos's neutrality can therefore be described as a "false neutrality".
Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

scope="row" | Latvia

| 1938–1939 (to World War II)

Declared its neutrality 1938, but was thereafter forced to allow troops of the Soviet Union to enter in 1939 and was occupied by it 1940 in accordance with the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.
A NATO and EU member since 2004.

scope="row" | Liberia

| 1914–1917 (to World War I)
1939–1944 (to World War II)

|{{main|Liberia in World War I|Liberia in World War II}}

Liberia declared its neutrality in 1914, later joining after pressure from the United States in 1917.
Declared its neutrality again in 1939 at the start of the Second World War, but granted Allied forces early access to its territory. Liberia served as one of the Allies' only sources of rubber during the war when the plantations of Southeast Asia had been taken over by the Japanese.

scope="row" | Lithuania

| 1939 (to World War II)

Declared its neutrality 1939, but was thereafter forced to allow troops of the Soviet Union to enter in 1939 and was occupied by it 1940 in accordance with the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.
A NATO and EU member since 2004.

scope="row" | Luxembourg

| 1839–1914 (to World War I)
1920–1940 (to World War II)

Neutral stance since 1839, abolished through its constitution in 1948.
A NATO member since 1949.
An EU member since 1957.

scope="row" | Nepal

| 1858–1914 (to World War I)
1918–1939 (to World War II)

| {{see also|Nepal in World War II}}

Aided the British during the Sepoy Rebellion.
Sent troops to serve in the Tajikistani and Somali civil wars under UN supervision.
Is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

scope="row" | Netherlands

| 1839–1940 (to World War II)

Self-imposed neutrality between 1839 and 1940 on the European continent.
Ended after the Battle of the Netherlands.
A NATO member since 1949.
An EU member since 1957.

scope="row" | Norway

| 1814–1940 (to World War II)

| {{see also|The Neutral Ally}}

A NATO member since 1949.

scope="row" | Oklahoma

| 1834–1861 (to U.S. Civil War)
1866–1906 (to annexation)

The Five Tribes which governed Oklahoma remained neutral towards external affairs, before siding with the Confederacy during the Civil War. The U.S. government required the tribes to abolish slavery in exchange for a renewed recognition of their independence.
The United States held suzerainty power and significantly reduced Oklahoma's independence in the following decades. A series of mass-demographic shifts later led to the establishment of a U.S.-backed territorial government.
A U.S. state since 1907.

scope="row" | Orange Free State

| 1854–1899 (to Second Boer War)

| {{see also|Boer Republics}}

Conquered by Britain in 1900.
Annexed into South Africa in 1902.

scope="row" | Portugal

| 1932–1945 (neutral during World War II)

| {{main|Portugal during World War II}}

While neutral throughout World War II, Portugal became non-belligerent towards the Allies, as evidenced in the Azores Base.
A NATO member since 1949.
EU member since 1986.

scope="row" | Spain

| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I)
1940–1945 (neutral during World War II)

|{{Main|Spain during World War I|Spain during World War II}}{{Further|Meeting at Hendaye|Operation Felix|Wolfram Crisis}}

While neutral throughout World War I and World War II, Spain did lean towards the Axis, as evidenced by the Blue Division.
A NATO member since 1982.
EU member since 1986.

scope="row" | Sweden

| 1814–2022

| {{main|Swedish neutrality|Sweden during World War II}}

First nation in the world to declare neutrality in 1814.
Formally proclaimed by King Charles XIV John in 1834.
Sweden has not been part of a war since 1814. This makes Sweden the nation which has had the longest period of peace.
Has adapted policy to protect its interests. During the Finnish Civil War, Sweden intervened on Åland. In World War II it allowed the Nazi Wehrmacht passage through its territory to Finland for the invasion of the Soviet Union, while also protecting refugees from the Nazis.
An EU Member since 1995: military non-aligned, see points of debate § European Union.
Has nevertheless deployed combat troops to military conflicts overseas under United Nations command as part of ONUC during the Congo Crisis (1961–1964), and as part of UNPROFOR during the Bosnian War (1992–1995). Swedish military forces also participated in the War in Afghanistan, the 2011 military intervention in Libya and the Mali War.
Has provided military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War.{{cite news |last=Storkaas |first=Adelina |date=28 February 2022 |title=Klart: Sverige skickar vapen och skyddsutrustning till Ukraina |language=sv |trans-title=Done:Sweden sends weapons and protection gear to Ukraine |work=SVT |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/utrikes/klart-sverige-skickar-vapen-och-skyddsutrustning-till-ukraina |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228170108/https://www.svt.se/nyheter/utrikes/klart-sverige-skickar-vapen-och-skyddsutrustning-till-ukraina |archive-date=28 February 2022}}{{cite web |last=Binnur Donmez |first=Beyza |date=28 February 2022 |title=Neutral countries support Ukraine against Russian war |url=https://aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-crisis/neutral-countries-support-ukraine-against-russian-war/2518177 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228135356/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-crisis/neutral-countries-support-ukraine-against-russian-war/2518177 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |work=Anadolu Agency}}{{cite web |last=Ruderstam |first=Jacob |date=27 February 2022 |title=Här är vapnet Sverige skickar till Ukraina: "Kommer ge effekt" |trans-title=This is the weapon Sweden sends to Ukraine: "Will give effect" |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/g6O7wA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228174752/https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/g6O7wA/sverige-skickar-vapen-till-ukraina |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |website=Aftonbladet |language=sv}}{{Cite news |last1=Stahle |first1=Nils |date=23 March 2022 |title=Sverige skickar fler vapen till Ukraina |language=sv |work=SVT Nyheter |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/sverige-skickar-fler-vapen-till-ukraina |access-date=23 March 2022}}
Abandoned neutrality in favor of becoming a NATO applicant in 2022.{{Cite web |author1=Aditi Sangal |author2=Adrienne Vogt |author3=Rhea Mogul |author4=Lianne Kolirin |author5=Sana Noor Haq |author6=Matias Grez |date=17 May 2022 |title=Sweden signs application for NATO membership |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-05-17-22/h_7f1548a7f95fcba29520df12b3e2d514 |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=CNN |language=en}}
A NATO member since 2024.

scope="row" | Texas

| 1836–1846 (to annexation)
1861 (to U.S. Civil War)

|{{Main|Texas in the American Civil War}}

Recognized by the U.S. and European powers, Texas remained neutral in international disuputes during its short existence.
Attempted neutrality under Sam Houston in the Civil War, but Houston was overthrown in a coup d'etat and replaced with a pro-Confederate government.
Restored as a U.S. state in 1870.

scope="row" | Thailand

| 1940–1941 (to World War II)

|{{Main|Thailand in World War II}}

Following the end of the Franco-Thai War, Thailand officially adopted a neutral position during World War II.
Neutrality lasted until the Japanese invasion of Thailand on 8 December 1941, which led to an armistice and military alliance treaty with the Japanese Empire in mid-December 1941.
Following liberation by Allied forces, Thailand would remain in the camp of the anti-communist Western military bloc, sending troops to fight in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

scope="row" | Tibet

| 1939–1945 (neutral during World War II)

|{{Main|Tibet (1912–1951)}}

While de facto independent under the rule of the Dalai Lama, Tibet was internationally recognized as a province of China.
Invaded and annexed by Communist China in 1951.

scope="row" | Tonga

| 1845–1939 (to World War II)

|{{Main|Sālote Tupou III|Solomon Islands campaign|Guadalcanal campaign}}

Tonga retained its sovereignty while a protectorate of the United Kingdom. It declared war on the Axis in 1939 and 1941, respectively. Since the end of the war, Tongan forces have participated minimally in foreign conflicts.

scope="row" | Turkey

| 1940–1945 (neutral during World War II)

|{{Main|German–Turkish Treaty of Friendship}}

Signed a non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany in 1941.
A NATO member since 1952.

scope="row" | Ukraine

| 1991–2014 (to Russo-Ukrainian War)

In its Declaration of Sovereignty (1990), Ukraine declared it had the "intention of becoming a permanently neutral state that does not participate in military blocs and adheres to three nuclear free principles" (art. 9). The 1996 Ukrainian Constitution, based upon the Declaration of Independence of 24 August 1991, contained the basic principles of non-coalition and future neutrality.{{cite web |title=Ukraine's Neutrality: A Myth or Reality? |url=http://www.e-ir.info/2010/11/30/ukraine%E2%80%99s-neutrality-a-myth-or-reality/ |access-date=8 September 2014 |website=E-ir.info}} Such policy of state non-alignment was re-confirmed by law in 2010.{{cite news |date=4 June 2010 |title=Ukraine Parliament Ok's neutrality bill |work=Kyiv Post |location=Kyiv, Ukraine |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/ukraine-parliament-oks-neutrality-bill-68612.html}}{{Failed verification|date=April 2020}}
However, the Ukrainian army participated in the U.S.-led Iraq War. Ukraine provided the third-largest number of forces in Iraq.{{cite web |title=Ukrainians complete mission in Iraq |date=11 December 2008 |url=https://www.army.mil/article/15056/ukrainians_complete_mission_in_iraq}}
After the annexation of Crimea by Russia and subsequent war in Donbas, Ukraine's parliament voted to drop non-aligned status on 23 December 2014.{{cite news |date=23 December 2014 |title=Ukraine votes to drop neutral status |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30587924}}
In 2017 Ukraine enshrined the desire to join NATO in its constitution.{{Cite web |date=12 April 2019 |title=Розвиток особливого партнерства України з НАТО – Україна – НАТО |url=https://ukraine-nato.mfa.gov.ua/ua/ukraine-nato/cooperation |access-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412193031/https://ukraine-nato.mfa.gov.ua/ua/ukraine-nato/cooperation |archive-date=12 April 2019 }}{{Cite web |title=Рада закріпила в Конституції курс на ЄС і НАТО |url=https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-polytics/2635688-rada-zakripila-v-konstitucii-kurs-na-es-i-nato.html |access-date=15 August 2022 |website=www.ukrinform.ua |date=7 February 2019 |language=uk}}

scope="row" | United States

| 1914–1917 (to World War I)
1939–1941 (to World War II)

| {{main|United States non-interventionism}}

Pursuant to the non-interventionist policy set forth by George Washington, the U.S. declared its neutrality at the beginning of both world wars.
However, it declared war on Germany during World War I in 1917 following the series of German U-boat attacks on American merchant ships supplying war material to the Allies in the Atlantic Ocean and declared war on Japan in World War II in 1941 following the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii.
A NATO member since 1949.

scope="row" | Uruguay

| 1870–1945 (to World War II)

|{{Main|Uruguay during World War II}}

Sent troops to serve in the Tajikistani civil war under UN supervision.
A Rio Pact member since 2020.

scope="row" | Venezuela

| 1914–1918 (neutral during World War I)
1939–1942 (to World War II)

|{{main|Venezuela during World War II}}

scope="row" | Yemen

| 1939–1945 (neutral during World War II)

Under the rule of the Mutawakkilite Kingdom, Yemen followed an isolationist foreign policy. It had previously formed an alliance with Italy in 1936, yet it remained neutral for the duration of the war.

scope="row" | Yugoslavia

| 1940–1941 (to World War II)
1949–1992 (to Yugoslav Wars)

|{{Main|World War II in Yugoslavia}}

Although founding member of the Little Entente committed to it until its dissolution in 1938, after much German pressure the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was forced to declare its neutrality between the Axis and Western powers.[https://books.google.com/books?id=a--6hauBIb4C&dq=yugoslavia+neutrality&pg=PA64 Contemporary Yugoslavia: Twenty Years of Socialist Experiment] by Wayne S. Vucinich and Jozo Tomasevich, Stanford University, p. 64 However, following an anti-Axis coup, Yugoslavia was invaded and subsequently carved up by the Axis.
Ever since the Stalin-Tito split in 1949, the SFR Yugoslavia became a buffer zone between the Soviet bloc and the West. Insisting in its neutrality in the Cold War, Yugoslavia became a founder and a leading force of the Non-Aligned Movement.[https://books.google.com/books?id=7mJACwAAQBAJ&dq=yugoslavia+neutrality&pg=PA73 Neutrality and Neutralism in the Global Cold War: Between or Within the Blocs?] by Sandra Bott, Jussi M. Hanhimaki, Janick Schaufelbuehl and Marco Wyss, p. 74
While maintaining its neutrality, Yugoslavia did diplomatically support South Korea and the anti-communist alliance in the Korean War, accusing the Soviet Union of starting the conflict. {{Cite journal |last=Kulla |first=Rinna |url=https://www.cairn.info/revue-les-cahiers-irice-2013-1-page-97.htm |date=2013 |title=Europe's Détente and Yugoslavia's Decline |journal=Les cahiers Irice |volume=10 |pages=97–106}}

References

Bibliography

Bemis, Samuel. "The United States and the Abortive Armed Neutrality of 1794. In "The American Historical Review, Vol. 24, No. 1 (October 1918), pp. 26–47
Bienstock, Gregory. The Struggle for the Pacific. Alcester, Warwickshire, U.K.: Read Books, 2007. {{ISBN|1-4067-7218-6}}
Bissell, Richard E. and Gasteyger, Curt Walter. The Missing link: West European Neutrals and Regional Security. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1990. {{ISBN|0-8223-0953-X}}
Corse, Edward and García Cabrera, Marta (eds), Propaganda and Neutrality: global case studies in the twentieth century. London and New York. Bloomsbury, 2023. {{ISBN|978-1-3503-2553-1}}. Open Access https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?docid=b-9781350325562Fenwick, Charles. "The Status of Armed Neutrality." The American Political Science Review, Vol. 11, No. 2 (May 1917), pp. 388–389
Hayes, Carlton. "Armed Neutrality with a Purpose." In "The Advocate of Peace." Vol. 79, No. 3 (March 1917), pp. 74–77
Jones, Howard. Crucible of Power: A History of American Foreign Relations to 1913. 2d ed. New York: Rowman & Littlefield, 2009. {{ISBN|0-7425-6534-3}}
Karsh, Efraim. Neutrality and Small States. Florence, Ky.: Routledge, 1988. {{ISBN|0-415-00507-8}}
Kulsrud, Carl J. "Armed Neutrality to 1870." The American Journal of International Law. Vol. 29, No. 3 (July 1935), pp. 423–447 {{JSTOR|i311972}}
Lottaz, Pascal/Reginbogin, Herbert R. (eds.) Notions of Neutralities. Lanham (MD): Lexington Books, 2019. {{ISBN|978-1498582261}}
Marabello, Thomas Quinn (2023). "Challenges to Swiss Democracy: Neutrality, Napoleon, & Nationalism," Swiss American Historical Society Review, Vol. 59: No. 2. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sahs_review/vol59/iss2/5
Murdoch, James C. and Sandler, Todd. "Swedish Military Expenditures and Armed Neutrality." In The Economics of Defence Spending: An International Survey. Keith Hartley and Todd Sandler, eds. Florence, Ky.: Routledge, 1990. {{ISBN|0-415-00161-7}}
O'Sullivan, Michael Joseph. Ireland and the Global Question. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press, 2006. {{ISBN|0-8156-3106-5}}
Oppenheim, Lassa. International Law: War and Neutrality. London: Longmans, Green, 1906.
Petropoulos, Jonathan, "Co-Opting Nazi Germany: Neutrality in Europe During World War II." Dimensions 14.1 (2000): 13+. [https://www.proquest.com/openview/2b510eeccef654a7650bb3c795470e30/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=43165 excerpt]
Scott, James Brown. The Armed Neutralities of 1780 and 1800: A Collection of Official Documents Preceded by the Views of Representative Publicists. New York: Oxford University Press, 1918.
Wills, Clair. That Neutral Island: A Cultural History of Ireland During the Second World War. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2007. {{ISBN|0-674-02682-9}}
{{cite web|title=Woodrow Wilson asks U.S. Congress for declaration of war |year=2014|publisher= The History Channel website|time=10:51|access-date= 28 April 2014|url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/woodrow-wilson-asks-us-congress-for-declaration-of-war}}.

External links

[http://historicalresources.org/2008/10/03/declaration-for-the-purpose-of-establishing-similar-rules-of-neutrality-with-annexes-signed-at-stockholm-may-27th-1938-between-denmark-finland-iceland-norway-and-sweden/ Declaration for the Purpose of establishing Similar Rules of Neutrality, with Annexes]
[https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1870/08/29/90439001.pdf The British Government's note affirming its neutrlality in the French-Prussian War of 1871, and answering Prussian allegations of a hidden pro-French bias]
{{cite web|url=http://www.netplaces.com/american-revolution/an-international-war/the-league-of-armed-neutrality.htm |title=About.com |website=Netplaces.com |access-date=21 April 2016}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.americanforeignrelations.com/A-D/Armed-Neutralities.html |title=Armed Neutralities |website=Americanforeignrelations.com |access-date=21 April 2016}}
{{cite web|url=http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7766 |title=NationStates • View topic – The League of Armed Neutrality (FT alliance) |website=Forum.nationstates.net |access-date=21 April 2016}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.citelighter.com/history/history/knowledgecards/the-first-league-of-armed-neutrality |title=The First League of Armed Neutrality |website=Citelighter.com |access-date=21 April 2016}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.everything2.com/title/League+of+Armed+Neutrality |title=League of Armed Neutrality |website=Everything2.com |access-date=21 April 2016}}
{{cite web|url=http://definitions.uslegal.com/a/armed-neutrality/ |title=Armed Neutrality Law & Legal Definition |website=Definitions.uslegal.com |access-date=21 April 2016}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/fdr-neutrality/ |title=The Neutrality Act of 1937. FDR. WGBH American Experience |website=PBS.org |access-date=21 April 2016}}
{{cite web|url=http://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Wilson's_First_Warning_to_the_Germans |title=Wilson's First Warning to the Germans – World War I Document Archive |website=Lib.byu.edu |access-date=21 April 2016}}
{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Neutrality |volume=19 |pages=441–450 |first=Thomas |last=Barclay |short=1}}