Sweden's ruling party supports NATO application

Confirming a much-anticipated move, Sweden Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced Sunday the ruling party’s support to join NATO. The move would change the country’s status of military non-alignment followed for more than 200 years. 

Prime Minister Andersson said Sweden’s NATO entry would be “the best thing for the security of Sweden and the Swedish people.”

She also addressed Sweden’s long-term military stand on non-alignment saying, "Non-alignment has served us well, but our conclusion is that it will not serve us as well in the future." 

Finland and Sweden: Neutral to NATO
Prime Minister Andersson’s announcement was followed by Finland's confirmation to join NATO officially. President Sauli Niinisto on Sunday confirmed their intention to apply to join the military alliance.

Both Finland and Sweden have a close association with NATO but have not engaged in active military participation in decades.

27 European countries are already NATO members.

A blow to Russia
Finland's and Sweden's entry into NATO would be a blow to Russia, militarily and demographically. The Kremlin has already warned of consequences if Finland joins NATO.

Finland shares an 810-mile border with Russia. The membership in NATO would more than double the length of the alliance's borders with Russia.