Sweden, Finland to start NATO applications next month: local media

Sweden and Finland will together express their wish to join the NATO military alliance in May, tabloid newspapers Iltalehti in Finland and Expressen in Sweden reported on Monday, citing sources close to the matter.

Despite tightening cooperation with NATO since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, the Nordic countries had both opted to stay out.

But Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, which it claims is a "special operation", has forced Sweden and Finland to examine whether their long-standing military neutrality is still the best means of ensuring national security.

According to Iltalehti, the leaders of Finland and Sweden plan to meet in the week of 16 May and after that publicly announce their plans to apply to join the Western alliance.

Finland's Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto declined to comment, but repeated his long-standing view that he would prefer Finland and Sweden made similar choices.

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin said two weeks ago, while visiting her Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson, that she expected Helsinki to make its decision within weeks.

Sweden's foreign ministry could not immediately be reached for comment on the reports.

Stockholm is conducting a review of security policy, which includes a view on possible NATO membership, with the results expected by mid-May.

Separately, Sweden's ruling Social Democrats are also reviewing their long-held objection to NATO membership. That is expected at the latest by 24 May.

(Reuters)