Finland, which shares the border with Sweden, and Russia, aspires to join NATO. Russia says, there will be, “serious military and political consequences.”

Russia’s invasion has urged Finland and Sweden to join NATO membership. They have to ignore the notion that peace was kept by being neutral, and avoiding taking sides.

Finland is more likely to apply for membership before Sweden.

It has a NATO “option,” which is a form of contingency plan that must be used if the security situation worsens.

Sanna Marin, the leader of Finland’s five-party centre-left coalition, and President Sauli Niinisto have been travelling NATO member countries in recent weeks in order to gain support for a future application.

It also updated its foreign and security policy.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had changed the environment, but took no action if the country should join NATO.

Martin said that the decision would be taken within weeks only.

Finland’s foreign minister, Pekka Haavisto, said that the government was prepared for joining the proposal for NATO if there was enough support from parliament.

NATO holds a summit in Madrid in June.

The Swedish government is also examining its overall security policy, with a report due by the end of May. Before making any decisions, Prime Minister Magdalena Anderson has stated that she wishes to wait for the outcome of the review.

The government Social Democrats are debating whether or not to withdraw their opposition to NATO, and a report is anticipated before the end of the summer.

In September, Sweden will hold a general election in which NATO membership will be a major topic. A clear voter mandate would make it easier for a government to implement.

If Finland decides to apply before then, it will put pressure on Stockholm to do the same.