Finland should submit an application to join the NATO military alliance, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said in a joint statement on Thursday, a major policy shift triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay,” Niinisto and Marin said in a joint statement.
Read Also: Boris Johnson Signs Historic Security Assurances With Sweden And Finland Ahead Of Both Countries Joining NATO
Finland, which shares a 1,300 km (810 mile) border and a difficult past with Russia, has previously remained outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to maintain friendly relations with its eastern neighbour.
Read Also: ‘Putin Chose This War, And Now He And His Country Will Bear The Consequences’ – Biden Announces New Sanctions On Russia For Invading Ukraine
Photo Credit: Getty
