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Summary:
Information Guide concerning the requests by Finland and Sweden to join the NATO alliance.
Further information:
For much of the Cold War, Finland retain a policy of neutrality towards the Western and Eastern blocs and limited its military activities. Since the 1990s and across multiple government, the Finnish position was that joining NATO was unnecessary and it was preferable to retain an independent defence policy. As for Sweden, the country decided in 1949 not to join NATO and declared a security policy aiming for non-alignment in peace and neutrality in war. This position was maintained without much discussion during the Cold War. The debate on NATO membership was recovered in the 1990s. While membership was never envisaged, both countries have been increasingly cooperating with the defence alliance.
The security situation in Eastern Europe suffered an alteration as tension between Ukraine and Russia increased. Russia ultimately decided to invade Ukraine in February 2022, which led to fundamental change in the longstanding positions held by Finnish and Swedish authorities on the prospects of requesting to join NATO. Following a few weeks of public debate, Finland's Prime Minister and President jointly announced on 12 May 2022 the intention to apply for NATO membership.
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Related Links |
- Commentary and Analysis
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International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS): Commentary, 05/01/2022: Finland and Sweden Do Not Have the ‘NATO Option’ They Think They Have
https://icds.ee/en/finland-and-sweden-do-not-have-the-nato-option-they-think-they-have/
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Foreign Policy: Analysis, 05/01/2022: Finland and Sweden Are Done With Deference to Russia
https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/01/05/finland-sweden-nato-russia-putin/
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Euro|topics, January 2022: Finland and Sweden: reinforcement for Nato?
https://www.eurotopics.net/en/273998/
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Royal United Services Institute (RUSI): Commentary, 07/01/2022: In the Firing Line: Finland, Sweden, NATO and European Security
https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/firing-line-finland-sweden-nato-and-european-security
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European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR): View from the Council, 10/01/2022: Between Russia, Sweden, and NATO: Finland’s defence of “sovereignty equality”
https://ecfr.eu/article/between-russia-sweden-and-nato-finlands-defence-of-sovereignty-equality/
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Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW): Analyses, 04/01/2022: Finland: back to the NATO debate
https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2022-01-04/finland-back-to-nato-debate
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Foreign Policy, 02/02/2022: Russia Is Driving Sweden and Finland Closer to NATO
https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/02/02/russia-sweden-finland-nato-ukraine/
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The Conversation, 11/02/2022: Ukraine: the problem with copying Finland’s strict cold war neutrality
https://theconversation.com/ukraine-the-problem-with-copying-finlands-strict-cold-war-neutrality-176706
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The Irish Times, 26/02/2022: Ireland and Finland: Similar countries with vastly different security approaches
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/ireland-and-finland-similar-countries-with-vastly-different-security-approaches-1.4812357
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The Atlantic, 09/03/2022: Putin's Strategic Error
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2022/03/putin-nato-finland-sweden-support-ukraine/626965/
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The New Statesman, 22/03/2022: As Finland and Sweden consider Nato membership, Austria clings to neutrality
https://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/geopolitics/2022/03/as-finland-and-sweden-consider-nato-membership-austria-clings-to-neutrality
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France24: Talking Europe, 01/04/2022: Sweden 'needs the security of NATO membership': Leading Swedish MEP
https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/talking-europe/20220401-sweden-needs-the-security-of-nato-membership-leading-swedish-mep
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Politico: Opinion, 13/04/2022: Sweden wins the NATO lottery
https://www.politico.eu/article/sweden-nato-wins-lottery-finland-membership-russia-ukraine/
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Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Commentary, 14/04/2022: The Dilemma at the Heart of Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO Membership Bids
https://carnegieendowment.org/2022/04/14/dilemma-at-heart-of-finland-s-and-sweden-s-nato-membership-bids-pub-86890
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Deutsche Welle, 14/04/2022: Will Finland and Sweden join NATO?
https://p.dw.com/p/49xum
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RFE/RL, 14/04/2022: Finland And Sweden's Steady March Toward NATO
https://www.rferl.org/a/finland-sweden-nato-memberships-jozwiak-analysis/31803749.html
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Atlantic Council: New Atlanticist, 15/04/2022: Going Nordic: What NATO membership would mean for Finland and Sweden
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/going-nordic-what-nato-membership-would-mean-for-finland-and-sweden/
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Centre for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS): Critical Questions, 15/04/2022: Will Finland and Sweden Join NATO?
https://www.csis.org/analysis/will-finland-and-sweden-join-nato
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The Economist, 16/04/2022: Finland is hurtling towards NATO membership
https://www.economist.com/europe/finland-is-hurtling-towards-nato-membership/
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Project Syndicate: Commentary, 21/04/2022: What NATO’s Northern Expansion Means
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/sweden-finland-nato-membership-expanded-european-defense-capacity-by-carl-bildt-2022-04
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German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP): Point of View, 27/04/2022: Finland wants to use the “NATO option”
https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/publication/finland-wants-to-use-the-nato-option
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Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 28/04/2022: Judy Asks: Is Finnish and Swedish NATO Membership Useful for European Security?
https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/87010
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Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI): ISPI Counterpoint, 28/04/2022: Should Finland and Sweden join NATO?
https://www.ispionline.it/en/pubblicazione/should-finland-and-sweden-join-nato-34786
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LRT News, 03/05/2022: What would Sweden and Finland joining NATO mean for the Baltics?
https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1685454/what-would-sweden-and-finland-joining-nato-mean-for-the-baltics
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German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMFUS): Insights, 06/05/2022: Sweden’s NATO Application Would Be a Sea Change — and a Logical Endpoint
https://www.gmfus.org/news/swedens-nato-application-would-be-sea-change-and-logical-endpoint
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Foreign Policy: Interview, 07/05/2022: Finland’s Foreign Minister on Why Helsinki Is Moving Toward NATO Now
https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/05/07/finland-nato-foreign-minister-haavisto/
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RFE/RL: Explainer, 09/05/2022: All You Need To Know As Finland And Sweden Inch Closer To NATO
https://www.rferl.org/a/finland-sweden-nato-membership-explainer-russia-ukraine/31841209.html
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Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO): Blog, 09/05/2022: Finland and Sweden’s Move to NATO
https://blogs.prio.org/2022/05/finland-and-swedens-move-to-nato/
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European Council on Foreign Affairs (ECFR): View from the Council, 10/05/2022: NordNATO: Why the case for Finland to join NATO is stronger than ever
https://ecfr.eu/article/nordnato-why-the-case-for-finland-to-join-nato-is-stronger-than-ever/
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Politico: Opinion, 12/05/2022: If Finland and Sweden join NATO, it’s on Russia
https://www.politico.eu/article/finland-sweden-join-nato-russia/
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Euronews, 12/05/2022: What are the next steps if Sweden and Finland ask to join NATO?
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/05/12/watch-sweden-and-finland-are-moving-closer-to-nato-but-what-are-the-steps-to-join
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BBC News, 12/05/2022: Are Sweden and Finland going from neutral to Nato?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61397478
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The Guardian, 12/05/2022: Why are Sweden and Finland not yet in Nato and does the alliance want them?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/12/why-are-sweden-and-finland-not-yet-in-nato-and-does-the-alliance-want-them
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The Economist, 12/05/2022: Sweden is following Finland’s lead on joining NATO
https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/05/12/sweden-is-following-finlands-lead-on-joining-nato
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Associated Press: Explainer, 12/05/2022: Why Finland, Sweden joining NATO will be big deal
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-nato-sweden-0df5efbacd3102aeaa72b839b690c2d6
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Deutsche Welle, 12/05/2022: NATO: New challenges for the alliance as Finland and Sweden inch closer to membership?
https://p.dw.com/p/4B9Ro
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The Conversation, 12/05/2022: Finland and Sweden’s desire to join Nato shows Putin has permanently redrawn the map of Europe
https://theconversation.com/finland-and-swedens-desire-to-join-nato-shows-putin-has-permanently-redrawn-the-map-of-europe-182971
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Euro|topics, May 2022: Finland wants to join Nato as soon as possible
https://www.eurotopics.net/en/281506/
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CRS Report, February 2023: NATO: Finland and Sweden Seek Membership
https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/IN11949.html
- News
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ERR News, 05/01/2022: Experts: Finland's accession to NATO unlikely in near future
https://news.err.ee/1608455948/experts-finland-s-accession-to-nato-unlikely-in-near-future
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Reuters, 14/01/2022: Finland not negotiating about NATO membership, foreign minister says
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-not-negotiating-about-nato-membership-foreign-minister-says-2022-01-14/
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Euronews, 15/01/2022: Finland not negotiating about NATO membership, foreign minister says
https://www.euronews.com/2022/01/15/us-finland-security-nato
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Helsinki Times, 18/01/2022: HS: Opposition to Nato membership drops to record low in Finland
https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/20816-hs-opposition-to-nato-membership-drops-to-record-low-in-finland.html
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Swissinfo.ch, 19/01/2022: Finland's PM says NATO membership is "very unlikely" on her watch
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/finland-s-pm-says-nato-membership-is--very-unlikely--on-her-watch/47276150
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France24, 28/01/2022: Rattled by Russia, Finland and Sweden revisit NATO debate
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220128-rattled-by-russia-finland-and-sweden-revisit-nato-debate
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Deutsche Welle, 01/02/2022: Sweden's Gotland gets ready for anything amid rising Russian threats
https://p.dw.com/p/46MGK
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YLE News, 24/02/2022: Foreign Minister: Finland taking part in Nato virtual summit
https://yle.fi/news/3-12333031
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The Local (Sweden), 24/02/2022: Swedish government firm on not joining Nato despite Russian aggression
https://www.thelocal.se/20220224/swedish-government-firm-on-not-joining-nato-despite-russian-aggression/
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EurActiv, 26/02/2022: Finland, Sweden to receive enhanced access to NATO intel over Ukraine
https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/finland-sweden-to-receive-enhanced-access-to-nato-intel-over-ukraine/
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Politico, 28/02/2022: Finnish lawmakers to discuss potential NATO membership
https://www.politico.eu/article/finland-nato-membership-sanna-marin-ukraine-russia/
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BBC: Newsday, 28/02/2022: Ukraine invasion: Putin’s threats to Finland and Sweden are ‘nothing new’
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0brly84
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Associated Press, 03/03/2022: Neutral Finland, Sweden warm to idea of NATO membership
https://apnews.com/article/finland-sweden-nato-membership-34ef217e563ac9ea080c495ce6ffdb88
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The Brussels Times, 15/03/2022: Finland: support for NATO membership reaches historic high
https://www.brusselstimes.com/210752/finland-support-for-nato-membership-reaches-historic-high
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The Local (Sweden), 24/03/2022: Six of ten Swedes back joining Nato if Finland does: poll
https://www.thelocal.se/20220324/six-out-of-ten-swedes-would-back-nato-if-finland-joined-poll/
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EUObserver, 11/04/2022: Russia warns against Finland and Sweden Nato bid
https://euobserver.com/nordics/154713
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BBC News, 11/04/2022: Ukraine War: Russia warns Sweden and Finland against Nato membership
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61066503
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YLE News, 13/04/2022: Government report: Finland and Sweden joining Nato would increase security in the Baltic Sea region
https://yle.fi/news/3-12403898
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Le Monder, 13/04/2022: In Sweden and Finland, the debate on NATO membership is accelerating
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/04/13/in-sweden-and-finland-the-debate-on-nato-membership-is-accelerating_5980420_4.html
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Bloomberg, 21/04/2022: Sweden Speeds Up NATO Analysis to Keep Pace With Finland
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-21/sweden-plans-to-speed-up-nato-analysis-to-keep-pace-with-finland
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Foreign Policy, 22/04/2022: ‘Thanks, Putin’: Finnish and Swedish Lawmakers Aim for NATO Membership
https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/04/22/finland-sweden-nato-membership-russia-ukraine-war/
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The Guardian, 25/04/2022: Sweden and Finland agree to submit Nato applications, say reports
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/25/sweden-and-finland-agree-to-submit-nato-applications
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Reuters, 25/04/2022: Finland, Sweden to begin NATO application in May, say local media reports
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-sweden-begin-nato-application-may-say-local-media-reports-2022-04-25/
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EurActiv, 27/04/2022: Croatian president says Finland, Sweden cannot join NATO before election law change in BiH
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/croatian-president-says-finland-sweden-cannot-join-nato-before-election-law-change-in-bih/
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The Irish Times, 27/04/2022: Finland prepared to join Nato without Sweden, says minister
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/finland-prepared-to-join-nato-without-sweden-says-minister-1.4863460
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Reuters, 01/05/2022: Finland almost certainly to apply for NATO membership, says Swedish Foreign Minister
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-almost-certainly-apply-nato-membership-says-swedish-foreign-minister-2022-05-01/
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RTÉ News, 01/05/2022: Finland will 'quite surely' apply to join NATO - Sweden
https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2022/0501/1295490-denmark-russia-airspace/
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ERR News, 04/05/2022: Ambassador: Finland, Sweden joining NATO would create headaches for Russia
https://news.err.ee/1608585898/ambassador-finland-sweden-joining-nato-would-create-headaches-for-russia
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The Local (Sweden), 10/05/2022: Sweden and Finland to announce decision to join Nato within days
https://www.thelocal.se/20220510/sweden-and-finland-to-announce-decision-to-join-nato-within-days/
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Associated Press, 10/05/2022: Crucial NATO decisions expected in Finland, Sweden this week
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-world-war-ii-stockholm-sweden-258926c3bad81d918d7475cf95bfd992
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Euronews, 10/05/2022: To join or not to join? Sweden and Finland to reveal NATO decisions
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/05/10/to-join-or-not-to-join-sweden-and-finland-to-reveal-nato-decisions
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The Guardian, 12/05/2022: Kremlin threatens retaliation after Finland leaders say it must join Nato
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/12/finland-apply-join-nato-without-delay-president-pm
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France24, 12/05/2022: Finland’s leaders back joining NATO in policy shift triggered by Ukraine war
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220512-finland-s-leaders-back-nato-membership-in-major-policy-shift-triggered-by-ukraine-war
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EUObserver, 12/05/2022: Finland moves to join Nato in historic step
https://euobserver.com/ukraine/154926
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The Irish Times, 12/05/2022: Sweden’s ruling party divided over moves towards Nato membership
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/sweden-s-ruling-party-divided-over-moves-towards-nato-membership-1.4876521
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YLE News, 12/05/2022: Finnish leaders confirm support for Nato application
https://yle.fi/news/3-12442140
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Politico, 12/05/2022: ‘Historic’: Pentagon spokesperson hails Finland’s move toward NATO membership
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/12/pentagon-finland-nato-00032038
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RFI News, 12/05/2022: Finland wants to join NATO 'without delay' in major policy shift
https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20220512-finland-wants-to-join-nato-without-delay-in-major-policy-shift
- Official
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NATO: Newsroom, 24/01/2022: Press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Pekka Haavisto and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Ann Linde
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_191039.htm
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NATO: Newsroom, 12/04/2022: Allies practise air interoperability with Finland and Sweden
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_194758.htm
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NATO: Newsroom, 29/04/2022: NATO maritime groups train with Finland and Sweden
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_195001.htm
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Finnish Government: Press Release, 12/05/2022: Joint statement by the President of the Republic and Prime Minister of Finland on Finland's NATO membership
https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-//10616/joint-statement-by-the-president-of-the-republic-and-prime-minister-of-finland-on-finland-s-nato-membership
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