At NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Finnish Ambassador to NATO Klaus Korhonen and Swedish Ambassador Axel Wernhof submitted their applications to join the Alliance. This was reported on the website of the North Atlantic Alliance.

Applications were accepted by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. This starts the formal procedure for countries to join the Alliance. Joining NATO would put an end to ten years of Finnish neutrality and nearly 200 years of Swedish neutrality.

“This is a great day at a critical moment for our security… Every country has the right to choose its path. You made your choice after a comprehensive democratic process, and I welcome your decision to join NATO. You are our closest partner and your membership will increase our joint security. this is a historical moment“- said Jens Stoltenberg.

Applications must be approved by each of the 30 member states of the North Atlantic Alliance. As it will be remembered, both countries stated that the decision to apply for NATO membership was determined by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, both Sweden and Finland are doing this not “against someone” but to strengthen their own security.