Finland and Sweden will jointly express their desire to join NATO in May, Finland’s Iltalehti and Sweden’s Expressen reported Monday, citing sources close to the matter.
Despite working more closely with the military alliance since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, the Nordic countries have opted to stay out, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced Sweden and Finland to reconsider whether their longstanding military neutrality still holds best means is to ensure national security.
According to Iltalehti, the leaders of Finland and Sweden plan to meet in the week of May 16 and then publicly announce their plans to submit an application to join the military alliance.
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- What would be the consequences of Sweden and Finland joining NATO?
Russia warns it will strengthen the country’s defenses if Sweden and Finland join NATO
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto declined to comment but reiterated his longheld view that he would prefer Finland and Sweden to make similar decisions.
Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reported separately, citing sources close to Sweden’s government agencies, that the United States and the United Kingdom had promised Sweden a larger military presence, deeper military drills and “strong political” support from NATO countries during a potential candidacy trial for NATO.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the Expressen and Aftonbladet reports.
Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin said two weeks ago during a visit to her Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson that she expected Finland to make its decision on whether to apply for NATO membership within a few weeks.
Finland and Sweden are considering joining NATO after the war in Ukraine
Stockholm is conducting a security review, including possible NATO membership, with results expected in midMay.
Stockholm is conducting a security review, including possible NATO membership, with results expected in midMay.