Finland, Sweden Hand in Applications for NATO

Sweden and Finland have officially applied to join NATO. According to NATO’s Secretary General Stoltenberg, the nations handed in their applications and now ‘allies will consider the next steps on their path to NATO.’ Stoltenberg also added “the security interests of all allies have to be taken into account and we are determined to work through all issues and reach rapid conclusions.” Stoltenberg made the comment alongside Klaus Korhonen the Ambassador of Finland to NATO and Axel Wernhoff the Ambassador of Sweden to NATO. The decision for the countries to join NATO will end decades of neutrality and Moscow has warned of ‘far-reaching consequences’ if the move goes forward.