Finland moves closer to joining NATO without Sweden
Finland, which has one of Europe's longest borders with Russia, on Tuesday kicks off a parliamentary debate aimed at accelerating the country's bid to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), increasing the likelihood it will leave neighbour and military partner Sweden behind.
Spooked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden dropped their decades-long policies of military non-alignment and applied to join the NATO in May 2022.
But facing fewer diplomatic hurdles than Stockholm, Helsinki appears set to move forward even before Finland's April general elections, as public opinion also supports membership in the military alliance.
The two nations have the support of all but two of NATO's 30 members, the holdouts being Hungary and particularly Turkey.
Many Finnish Member of Parliament's have pushed for legislation affirming that Finland accepts the terms of the NATO treaty to be passed before the elections on 2 April.
Finland will debate the bill on Tuesday, coinciding with a visit from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg - who will meet with Premier Sanna Marin and President Sauli Niinisto.
A vote is expected by Wednesday, and having the bill passed means that Finland can act swiftly even if the ratifications come in before a new government has been formed.
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