According to Russia, NATO membership would not improve Europe’s security situation. “The alliance is still a tactic aimed towards conflict,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists.

There is a strong likelihood of NATO expansion as a result of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, according to US defence sources.

Officials in the United States expect its Nordic neighbours to put in a request to join the alliance as early as June.

The expansion of the Western alliance to 32 members is widely expected to be supported by Washington. Last week, US State Department officials reported that NATO leaders and foreign ministers from Helsinki and Stockholm had had meetings.

Russia requested that NATO promise to prevent any future enlargement before it began its invasion, but the conflict has led to the deployment of additional NATO soldiers on its eastern flank and a boost in popular support for Sweden and Finland’s participation in the alliance.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin said she expects her government “to complete the discussion before midsummer” on whether to apply for EU membership, and that a security report from intelligence officers is anticipated this week.

Finland shares a 1,340-mile border with Russia, which has been rocked by Russia’s assault of the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.