What are the next steps for Finland and Sweden on Nato membership?

Flags flutter in the wind outside Nato headquarters in Brussels (Olivier Matthys/AP)

Finland and Sweden have signalled their intention to join Nato over Russia’s war in Ukraine and things will move fast once they formally apply for membership in the world’s biggest security alliance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already made clear that there would be consequences if the two Nordic countries join. So it is important for Nato to bring them swiftly into the fold where they can benefit from the security guarantees that membership provides.