Finland decides to apply for NATO membership without delay

The country's president, Saul Niinsto, said that his state, which shares a 1300 kilomtera border and a difficult past with Russia, must certainly apply for membership “without delay”.

NATO membership would empower the security of Finland”, he said at a joint conference with the country's prime minister, Sanna Marin.

We hope that the right steps to take in this decision will be completed rapidly in the coming days”, he added.

Finland had previously remained outside the military alliance in order to maintain friendly relations with its eastern neighbour.

Asked earlier whether Finland would provoke Russia by membership in NATO, Niinsto said Russian President Vladimir Putin would be guilty if there were the passage of the situation. /Periscopi/