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Finland and Sweden strengthen NATO application interest

STORY: Finnish President Sauli Niinisto confirmed that Finland would apply to join NATO, while Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats announced an official policy change that could pave the way for Sweden’s application in the coming days.

If Sweden does not apply, they would be the only Nordic outsider. Other Nordic countries like Norway, Denmark and Iceland joined the pact as founding members.

Finland and Sweden would like guarantees that NATO member nations would defend them while the application process is underway.

Finland’s Niinisto spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, and said their conversation did not contain any threats, despite Moscow repeatedly warning of “serious consequences” if the nations join NATO.

Ratification can take a year as parliaments of all 30 NATO countries need to approve new members, however, NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, says arrangements for the interim period can be made.

NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JENS STOLTENBERG:

"We will try to speed up that process as much as possible. many allies have stated that they will find fast tracks as for instance Germany has indicated that this can go quite fast. We will look into ways to provide security assurances including by increasing NATO presence in the region, in the Baltic region in and around Finland and Sweden."

While many member nations, such as Britain, Germany and the United States, are showing support, Turkey is holding back.

Turkey surprised its allies in recent days by saying it had reservations about Finnish and Swedish membership due to their support of Kurdish militant groups present on their territory. On Sunday, in a meeting with foreign ministers in Berlin, Turkey said in order to support their memberships, the Nordic nations must halt Kurdish militant support, as well as lift bans on some sales of arms to Turkey.

Sunday’s meeting seemed promising, as Turkey’s Foreign Minister said talks with Swedish and Finnish counterparts were helpful. U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, echoed those remarks.

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN:

"I don't want to characterize the specific conversation that we had either with the foreign minister or within the NATO sessions themselves, but I can say this much: I heard almost across the board, very strong support (for Sweden, Finland) joining the alliance if that’s what they choose to do, and I’m very confident that we will reach consensus on that.”

Once vetted by NATO allies, and if Turkish objections are met, approval could come in a matter of weeks.