Finland Commits to Joining NATO

Finland’s government officially confirmed yesterday that it will apply for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a military alliance featuring the US, Canada, and 28 other European nations.

• Hours later, Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats party announced its support for an application to join NATO – a move that’s supported by roughly two-thirds of the population, per a poll conducted this month. 
• Swedish PM Magdalena Andersson said she plans to ask parliament on Monday to officially support the application.

✋ Yes, but: To be admitted into NATO, each applicant must be approved by all member countries. One potential roadblock to the two Nordic nations joining the alliance is Turkey, which has the second-largest military behind the US.

• Last Thursday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: “We don’t hold positive views” on Finland and Sweden’s potential membership, claiming the two countries are “home to many terrorist organizations.”

🇺🇦 Zoom out: A quick rundown of recent Russia/Ukraine war happenings: 

• Ukrainian forces launched a counteroffensive in the east to disrupt Russian supply lines, the EU committed more than $500 million to repay members that provide weapons to Ukraine, and four Republican senators led by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R–KY) traveled to Kyiv to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky.