Finland officially decided to join NATO

It is reported by RIA Novosti with reference to a government statement.

“Finland will apply for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) after consulting Parliament,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin called the decision historic.

A vote on this issue in parliament is likely to take place on 17 May.

Earlier, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö told Russian leader Vladimir Putin during a telephone conversation that his country intended to join the North Atlantic Alliance.

Finnish Minister of State Property and Relations with the EU Tytti Tuppurainen said that the Finnish authorities are ready for "all sorts of unpleasant measures" from Russia because of the country's plans to join NATO.