Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde said that Finland would soon submit a formal application to join NATO. Earlier, her Finnish colleague Pekka Haavisto expressed hope that both neutral states would make a joint decision.

“This will change the balance of power. If one of our countries joins the alliance, the situation will become more tense,” Linde said, noting that she is almost certain that the Finns will join NATO.

Finland has remained neutral since 1944, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine forced it to reconsider its position. In addition, a decision has already been made to strengthen the border with Russia, the length of which is more than 1,300 kilometers. The wire fence will be replaced with a concrete fence.