Reuters learned about the imminent filing of applications of Finland and Sweden to NATO

The two countries will announce their intention to join the North Atlantic Alliance within the next few days and will quickly be accepted into NATO, the agency writes.Their applications may be approved before or during the June summit in Madrid Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto

Finland and Sweden will apply for NATO membership in the coming days, they are waiting in the bloc. It is reported by Reuters with reference to diplomats and officials. According to the interlocutors of the agency, the allies in the North Atlantic Alliance will quickly approve the receipt of membership by these countries, since the Russian military operation in Ukraine is forcing "a radical rethink of the European security system."

Finnish President Sauli Niiniste will announce his position on NATO on Thursday, May 12, Helsingin Sanomat reported. According to the agency, this move will be seen as "an official confirmation of Helsinki's readiness" to join the alliance. The Swedish authorities are also expected to make a decision this week on joining the bloc.

“Yes and yes: they will apply and they will be granted membership,” a senior diplomat told the agency. "If not now, then when?" asked a second source. According to a third interlocutor, now is the most appropriate moment for this, since "Russia is not in a position to attack [these two countries]."

Russia threatened Finland and Sweden with consequences for joining NATO Politics

According to diplomats and NATO sources, Sweden's and Finland's bids to join the bloc will be approved either before or during the NATO summit due June 29-30 in Madrid. As expected, the meeting will be attended by all the leaders of the allied countries, including US President Joe Biden. Some interlocutors believe that Finland and Sweden will apply for membership a few weeks before the summit.

It will take a year to ratify the decision on membership of Finland and Sweden in NATO; According to the agency, during this time, the alliance intends to strengthen its presence in Northern Europe and increase the number of exercises.

Helsingin Sanomat wrote that countries should decide on membership in the alliance on May 15th. They can apply as early as next week.

Pro Ceiling above 700 thousand rubles. per month:

Now Sweden and Finland have the status of NATO partner states. The bloc members are 30 countries, including Denmark and Norway.

The Kremlin assured that Moscow does not consider the entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO as an existential threat to itself. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that the membership of Finland and Sweden in NATO threatens with "the most undesirable consequences."