– Russia and Finland share a 1,300-km border. If Finland joins, it would double the length of the alliance’s border with Russia.
Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin attends the press conference on Finland's security policy decisions at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, Sunday.
Finland President Sauli Niinisto confirmed on Sunday that his country will apply for membership of the Intergovernmental organisation (NATO) military alliance.
In a historic policy shift prompted by the Ukraine war. Since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, the Russian neighbours have been considering applying for membership of the 30-year-old military alliance.
Meanwhile, NATO’s deputy chief has said he was confident that the organisation can overcome objections by Turkey and quickly admit Finland and Sweden.
On Saturday, Turkey's foreign minister unexpectedly raised objections and called the move "unacceptable and outrageous," Reuters reported.
1. Finland was declared independent in 1917 after more than a century of rule by Moscow.
2. If Finland joins the NATO, it will be one of the quickest enlargements for the alliance.
3. Russia's second biggest city, St. Petersburg, lies some 170 km from the border with Finland.