Finland and Sweden submit applications for Nato membership

The move to join Nato is driven by security concerns over Russia’s war in Ukraine

"I warmly welcome the requests by Finland and Sweden to join Nato," said secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg (AP)

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said that Finland and Sweden have officially applied to join the world’s biggest military alliance, in a move driven by security concerns over Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“I warmly welcome the requests by Finland and Sweden to join Nato. You are our closest partners,” Mr Stoltenberg said after receiving application letters from the two Nordic countries’ ambassadors.