‘Everything changed when Russia invaded’: Finland and Sweden inch closer to seeking NATO membership

The leaders of Finland and Sweden have both said a decision on whether to apply for NATO membership can be expected sooner rather than later.

Europe's security landscape has changed in the wake of Russia's onslaught in Ukraine, as evidenced by the possibility of Sweden and Finland joining NATO in the coming weeks.

Sanna Marin said that the Nordic country, which shares a 1,300-kilometer border with Russia, would decide within weeks whether to join the U.S.-led military alliance.

The pros and cons of joining the alliance are expected to be debated by the lawmakers.

Marin said that everything changed when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Marin said that people's mindsets in Sweden and in Finland changed because of Russia's actions.

The Prime Minister of Sweden said there was no point in waiting to analyze whether it is right for Sweden to join NATO.

I think this is a very important time in history, as I have said many times. There are two days before and after the 24th of February. The security landscape has changed completely.

We have to analyze the situation to see what is best for Sweden. She said that you should make it very serious.

The strongest indication yet that the two Nordic countries could join the military alliance was given by Marin and Andersson.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has made it clear that it is for Sweden and Finland to decide their own path. The door is still open for the alliance to welcome new members.

Russia has long warned against NATO's future expansion, accusing it of being a tool geared towards confrontation.

The deployment of more troops on NATO's eastern flank has resulted in a rise in public support for Swedish and Finnish membership.

Marin said that the difference between being a partner and a member is very clear.

The principle of collective defense is referred to in NATO's article 5. An attack against one NATO member is considered an attack against all NATO allies.

It is defined by the alliance as a unique and enduring principle that bind its members together, committing them to protect each other and setting a spirit of solidarity.

Andersson has said Europe’s security landscape has “completely changed” in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Marin said that it was important for lawmakers to discuss the best way to prevent the crisis in Ukraine from happening in Finland.

NATO is an organization where important decisions about our security are made. Europe's political and security architecture is an important part of it. Marin said that we need to assess how our possible NATO membership would respond to our security needs.

We need to be very clear about consequences and risks. There are both short- and long-term risks. The risks are there if we apply and if we don't.