BERLIN – Finland’s foreign minister said Saturday that the EU country believes it can find a “solution” with Turkey to end Ankara’s objections to its NATO membership bid.

Pekka Haavisto said he was “sure that in the end we will find a solution and Finland (and) Sweden will become members of NATO” ahead of discussions with NATO nations including Turkey in Berlin.

The minister said it was “extremely vital that we talk with our neighbour,” even if “we don’t ask any permission for our political measures,” referring to a phone call initiated by Finland’s president to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

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Following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, political and popular opinion in Finland and Sweden has shifted in favour of NATO membership as a deterrent to Russian aggression.

Both countries have a lengthy history of cooperation with the Western military alliance and are expected to join soon.

Underscoring the sensitive situation, the minister said it was vital for as many NATO countries as possible to “declare clear support” for Finland from the time it files its application until it is granted full membership.