HELSINKI: Finnish President Sauli Niinisto confirmed on Sunday (May 15) that his country would apply to become a member of the NATO military alliance.
The announcement came after Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said Thursday that they were both in favor of NATO membership, in a major policy change sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia, which shares a long land border with Finland, has said it would be a mistake for Helsinki to join the transatlantic alliance and would damage bilateral ties.