Finland, Sweden still undecided on joining NATO

Berlin: The leaders of Finland and Sweden have indicated that their governments haven’t yet decided whether to join NATO, but stressed close security cooperation with other European countries in the face of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Speaking Tuesday after a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz near Berlin, Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin said “Russia’s attack on Ukraine has changed our security environment completely” and there was “no going back.” “We have to decide on whether to apply for NATO membership or continue on our current path,” she said.

“That is the discussion we are having now in our national parliament.” Her Swedish counterpart, Magdalena Andersson, said the Nordic nation’s parliament is conducting a security review that will be presented on May 13. “The analysis includes future international defense partnerships for Sweden, including a discussion on NATO, and all options are on the table,” she said.

“While our respective security arrangements are of course decided nationally, we coordinate very closely with Finland,” Andersson added. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has said both countries would be welcomed if they decide to join the 30-nation military organization and could become members quite quickly.

The foreign ministers of NATO’s member countries are scheduled to meet in Berlin on May 14-15. Meanwhile, the British military says it believes the Russian military is now “significantly weaker” after suffering losses in its war on Ukraine. The British Defense Ministry made the comment Tuesday in its daily statement on Twitter regarding the war. (AP)