Finland declared on Sunday that it plans to apply for NATO membership; paving the path for the 30-nation Western military alliance to expand amid Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki by President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
The decision is expected to be approved by Finland’s Parliament in the following days; and the outcome is regarded a formality. Next week, NATO headquarters in Brussels will most certainly receive a formal membership application.
Russia, which shares an 800-mile border with Finland, has stated that joining the transatlantic alliance would be a mistake and would hurt bilateral relations.
Sweden is likely to follow suit, given public support for membership.
