Crucial NATO decisions expected in Finland, Sweden this week

By KARL RITTER
Associated Press

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Key decision-makers in non-aligned Finland and Sweden are set to announce their positions on NATO membership this week. If Finland’s president and the governing Social Democrats in both countries ignore Russia’s warnings and come out in favor of accession, it could be a serious blow for Moscow as its military struggles to make decisive gains in Ukraine. Sweden and Finland joining the Western military alliance would leave Russia surrounded by NATO countries in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic. Russian President Vladimir Putin cited NATO’s prior and possibly future expansion in Eastern Europe among the reasons for invading Ukraine. Belonging to NATO would be a historic development for the two Nordic countries.