China News Service, May 18 (Xinhua) According to a comprehensive report, on the 17th local time, Swedish Prime Minister Andersson and Finnish President Niinisto announced at a press conference that the two countries will jointly submit an application to join NATO on the 18th local time.
"Joining NATO will strengthen the security of Sweden and the Baltic region," Andersson said, adding that "we can contribute to the security of northern Europe."
Data map: Swedish Prime Minister Andersson.
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg has said applications from Sweden and Finland to join NATO would be "welcome".
However, Turkey said it would not agree to join NATO between the two countries.
In addition, Andersson and Niinisto will travel to Washington on the 19th to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden. The trip will discuss issues such as the two countries' application to join NATO and transatlantic relations.
On the 17th, the Finnish Parliament agreed to apply to join NATO, and Swedish Foreign Minister Linde also officially signed Sweden's application to join NATO.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the 16th that there is "no problem" between Russia and Finland and Sweden, so Finland and Sweden's membership in NATO does not pose a direct threat to Russia.
But the expansion of NATO's military infrastructure on the territories of both countries is bound to provoke a Russian response.