Topline
Finland’s president and prime minister on Thursday officially announced that they are in favor of applying for NATO membership, setting the stage for an expansion of the U.S.-led alliance amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö (R) and Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin address a press … [+]
Key Facts
In a joint statement, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said NATO membership would strengthen the country’s security and Finland should apply for it without day.
A formal decision to apply for the membership will be made by Niinisto and the country’s Foreign and Security Policy Committee on Sunday followed by a parliamentary debate on the same the next day, Finnish public broadcaster YLE reports.
The report adds that Finland’s declaration of intent to join is expected to be delivered to NATO next week, following which the country will be invited for membership negotiations.
The joint statement by the two top leaders received immediate support from Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen and European affairs minister Tytti Tuppurainen.
This is a developing story.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2022/05/12/finlands-president-and-prime-minister-announce-official-support-for-joining-nato/