Finland presented its application to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) this Sunday, May 15. Shortly after, the Swedish government confirmed its desire to join the military alliance as well, against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
« A joint NATO application with Finland is what is best for Sweden and its security, » said Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson on Sunday after a meeting at which her party green lit the application.
Secretary-General of the Atlantic Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg stated that a NATO membership for the two Nordic countries, which is viewed very negatively by Moscow, would be proof that aggression such as the invasion of Ukraine does not pay, reports AFP.
A membership application must be approved unanimously by all member states before passing, but Turkey, although having expressed its openness to the Nordic countries’ applications, has outlined its demands for the application to go through.
On the sidelines of the Berlin meeting, Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu said his government wants the two Nordic countries to end its support to Kurdish groups present on their territory, and to lift the ban on sales of some arms to Turkey.
Cavusoglu then said his talks with Swedish and Finnish counterparts in Berlin « had been helpful,» hinting at a possible middle-ground leading to Sweden and Finland’s admission to the alliance.
This application for membership marks the end of historical neutrality for both neighborly countries.
Finland, a nation that shares a long border with Russia, has broken its diplomatic tradition following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the escalation of events.
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