Finland and Sweden are close to joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) despite Russia’s warning.
On Tuesday, the parliament in Finland voted 188-8 to approve a bid for NATO membership.
Also today, Sweden’s Foreign Minister, Ann Linde signed an application to be submitted to Brussels.
READ ALSO
President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin made the announcement on Sunday.
The Scandinavian countries are expediting moves to join the Western defence alliance due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The war will be three months on May 24, with millions of Ukrainians displaced and hundreds dead or wounded.
Finland shares a border with Russia, while the majority of the people in Sweden are desirous of being in NATO.
The entry of Sweden and Finland would “strengthen” the European Union (EU), top diplomat, Josep Borrell said when Defence Ministers met in Belgium.
The inclusion of the Nordic nations would increase the membership of NATO to 32; 30 European, the United States and Canada
