Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, May 18: After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upended decades of military non-alignment, Finland and Sweden submitted their applications to join the US-led alliance NATO on Wednesday.
“The applications you have made today are an historic step. Allies will now consider the next steps on your path to NATO,” after receiving the bids from the Finnish and Swedish ambassadors at the alliance’s headquarters, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said.
The membership drive might be NATO’s most major expansion in decades, doubling the alliance’s border with Russia, and President Vladimir Putin has warned that it could provoke a response from Moscow.
Turkey, a NATO member, has threatened to veto the applications, claiming that the Nordic neighbours serve as safe havens for armed organisations opposed to Ankara. Helsinki, Stockholm, and the other Western allies are hopeful that they will be able to overcome Turkey’s objections.
On Wednesday, NATO ambassadors are set to debate the applications and may give the go-ahead to start formal talks with the two about their bids.
Several NATO countries, including the United Kingdom, have offered Finland and Sweden security assurances during the application period before they are covered by the alliance’s mutual defence pact.
