In Sweden, the ruling Social Democrats have voted in favor of the country joining NATO.
The ruling party announced this in a statement after a special meeting of its party leadership on Sunday.
This is another important step on the way to Sweden's admission to the military alliance, and neighboring Finland is also preparing to join NATO.
However, the Swedish Social Democrats do not want to accept the stationing of nuclear weapons or permanent NATO bases on their territory, according to the party's website.
The reason for the far-reaching change of course is the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, which triggered an intensive NATO debate in Sweden and in neighboring Finland.
Finland's President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin had already announced at a press conference on Sunday that they wanted to submit an application for their country.
Marin had also expressed hope that Sweden would follow suit.
Parliament in both countries is now scheduled to meet on Monday to debate NATO membership.
In Finland, approval is already considered almost certain.
Unlike their Nordic partner countries Denmark, Norway and Iceland, Sweden and Finland have not yet belonged to NATO.
But they are both already close partners in the military alliance.