Sweden is expected to decide on the issue in the coming days.
Finland must submit an application to join the NATO military alliance, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said in a joint statement on Thursday. Neighboring Sweden is expected to decide on the issue in the coming days.
"Finland should immediately apply for NATO membership"
- stated the Finnish president and prime minister. This is a significant political shift from military neutrality prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Finland, which shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia and has a troubled history, previously stayed out of the alliance.
"In the spring, an important discussion took place about Finland's possible NATO membership. Time was needed for the parliament and society as a whole to form their position on the matter. It also took time to establish close international relations with NATO and its member countries, as well as with Sweden. We wanted to give the necessary space to the discussion. Now that the moment of decision-making is approaching, we represent an equal position, also for the information of the representative groups and parties. NATO membership would strengthen Finland's security. And Finland, as a member of NATO, would strengthen the entire military alliance. Finland should immediately apply for NATO membership. We hope that the national steps still necessary for the decision will be taken quickly in the coming days", reads the full statement of Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
Support for joining NATO among the Finnish population hovered around 20-25 percent for several years. But since Russia invaded Ukraine, it has risen to 76 percent, according to the latest poll.
Moscow has previously warned Finland and Sweden several times not to dare to join the defense alliance.
Featured image source: PS
