China News Agency, Brussels, May 18 (Xinhua) The ambassadors of Finland and Sweden to NATO, on behalf of their respective countries, submitted applications to join NATO to NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg on May 18.
The handover ceremony was held at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on the same day.
Accepting the application, Stoltenberg said Finland and Sweden had taken a "historic step" and that NATO would come to a conclusion on the application as soon as possible.
According to the NATO protocol, only 30 member states unanimously agree, NATO can absorb new members.
On May 16, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey would not allow Finland and Sweden to join NATO.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the 16th that Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO does not pose a direct threat to Russia, but the expansion of NATO's military infrastructure in the territories of the two countries will inevitably lead to a response from Russia.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Glushko said on the 14th that Finland and Sweden joining NATO is not in the interests of the two countries, nor is it conducive to maintaining European security and stability; Russia will not remain indifferent, nor will it impulsively decide on countermeasures, but will A comprehensive analysis of the deployment of new forces formed by the new round of NATO expansion.
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