Media: Finland submits NATO application on Wednesday

Finland is likely to submit its application to join NATO on Wednesday. Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. According to rumors, the Swedes are already taking this step on Monday, according to the newspaper.

Finland and Sweden want to join the military alliance in response to the Russian attack on Ukraine. All thirty NATO countries must give the green light for new members to join. On Saturday, the foreign ministers of Sweden and Finland met with their counterpart from Turkey in Berlin in an attempt to clear the air about the accession of the two northern European countries. Turkey is sending mixed signals as to whether it will agree to an application from them to join.

An informal NATO meeting was also held in Berlin. Before the meeting, Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said that NATO remains united, even after Turkey has objected to the accession of Sweden and Finland. “This time clearly calls for unity and I am sure we can demonstrate it,” said Hoekstra.