‘Finland and Sweden will apply for NATO membership in May’ | Abroad

Both countries are members of the European Union, but are militarily unattached. They usually attend NATO meetings as observers. The Russian attack on Ukraine has rocked public opinion, raising support for joining the NATO alliance.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson previously said he did not want to make a hasty decision. She wanted to determine “thoroughly but quickly” what is best for Sweden’s security. Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has already announced that he wants to cooperate with Sweden on the application.

According to Iltalehti, the leaders of Finland and Sweden are planning a meeting in the week of May 16. After that, they are expected to publicly announce their plan to join the alliance.

Russia has warned both countries not to join NATO and has threatened to place nuclear weapons in the region if it comes to that. Earlier this month, Moscow warned of “consequences,” without specifying them. Russia shares a border of more than 1,300 kilometers with Finland.

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