Nato chief hails ‘historic moment’ as Finland and Sweden apply to join alliance

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg ‘warmly welcomed’ the requests (Johanna Geron, Pool via AP)

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg has said the military alliance stands ready to seize a historic moment and move quickly on allowing Finland and Sweden to join its ranks, after the two countries submitted their membership requests.

The official applications, handed over by Finland and Sweden’s ambassadors to Nato, set a security clock ticking. Russia, whose war on Ukraine spurred them to join the military organisation, has warned that it would not welcome such a move, and could respond.