Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson walks with Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin before a meeting amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine April 13, 2022 in Stockholm, Sweden. Paul Wennerholm/TT News Agency/via REUTERS/File Photo
HELSINKI, April 25 – Finland and Sweden will jointly express their desire to join NATO in May, tabloids Iltalehti in Finland and Expressen in Sweden reported on Monday, citing sources close to the matter.
Although cooperation with the military alliance has intensified since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, the Nordic countries had chosen to stay out. But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which it calls a “special operation,” has forced Sweden and Finland to reconsider whether their longstanding military neutrality is still the best way to ensure national security.
According to Iltalehti, the heads of state and government of Finland and Sweden plan to meet in the week of May 16 and then publicly announce their plans to bid to join the alliance.
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto declined to comment but reiterated his longstanding view that he would prefer Finland and Sweden to make similar decisions.
Swedish daily Aftonbladet reported separately, citing sources close to Swedish government agencies, that the United States and Britain had promised Sweden an increased military presence, more in-depth military exercises and “strong political” support from NATO countries during a possible NATO application process.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the Expressen and Aftonbladet reports.
Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin, while visiting her Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson two weeks ago, said she expected Finland to make its decision on whether to apply for NATO membership within weeks. Continue reading
Stockholm is conducting a security policy review, including a look at possible NATO membership, with results expected by mid-May. Continue reading
Separately, Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats are also reviewing their long-held objection to NATO membership. This is expected by May 24 at the latest.
Reporting by Essi Lehto and Anna Ringstrom in Stockholm; Edited by Hugh Lawson and Alex Richardson