Sweden and Finland plan to apply for NATO membership on Wednesday, according to their leaders, a move that would break with decades of nonalignment by the two Nordic countries and represent a major geopolitical shift in Europe in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
At a joint press conference Tuesday, Swedish Prime Minister
Magdalena Andersson
and Finnish President
Sauli Niinistö
in Stockholm said the countries plan to jointly present their applications for membership in the U.S.-led alliance.
The decision caps a swift turn in political and public opinion in the two Nordic countries in favor of NATO membership in the hopes that it will help deter Russian aggression. Finland shares an 800-mile border with Russia.
The two leaders spoke hours after 94% of Finland’s lawmakers approved the country’s NATO bid in a lengthy parliament session.
Both countries’ governments said over the weekend that they intended to apply to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We make our own decisions, and Finland makes its own decisions,” Ms. Andersson said, “but I am pleased that we can do this together.”
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, Sweden and Finland have gone through weeks of political deliberations following sharp turns in public opinion, which now overwhelmingly favor NATO membership. Finland’s parliament approved the country’s NATO bid on Tuesday after a 14-hour plenary session stretching over two days.
Mr. Niinistö said the lengthy process was necessary due to the gravity of the decision.
“It has been important, since this is a historically big decision. And it’s best that everyone has had a chance to study, listen and receive answers to their questions,” he said. “I think democracy has won.”
Belgium, a founding member of NATO and home to the alliance’s headquarters, welcomed the decision of Sweden and Finland to become members.
“The Finnish and Swedish decisions are the result of a democratic process and are in line with both nations’ sovereign right to choose their own security arrangements,” Belgian Prime Minister
Alexander De Croo
said in a statement.
After formally lodging their applications on Wednesday, the Finnish and Swedish leaders will travel to Washington on Thursday where they are scheduled to meet with President Biden.
“The leaders will discuss Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO applications and European security, as well as strengthening our close partnerships across a range of global issues and support for Ukraine,” White House press secretary
Karine Jean-Pierre
said Tuesday.
In Washington, the leaders will discuss Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan’s
opposition to the two Nordic countries joining NATO. Mr. Erdogan has accused Sweden and Finland of allowing Turkish opposition groups that Ankara regards as terrorist organizations to operate on Swedish and Finnish soil.
At Tuesday’s press conference, the two Nordic leaders expressed surprise at Mr. Erdogan’s opposition. In a phone call in April, Mr. Erdogan had told the Finnish president that he supported a Finnish NATO membership, Mr. Niinistö said.
“It’s quite surprising what has happened in the past week,” Mr. Niinistö said, adding that he had requested another call with Mr. Erdogan. “I am optimistic,” he said.
Sweden and Finland are each others’ closest defense allies. They have also nurtured deep relations with NATO since the end of the Cold War, albeit without formally joining. Public opinion and politicians in both nations have clearly favored applying at the same time.
“We share a long history, but we also share the future,” Ms. Andersson said. “We will enter the future together.”
Write to Sune Engel Rasmussen at [email protected]
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