Finland has hinted for the first time that it may have to consider joining the NATO military alliance without its Nordic neighbor.
In statements to a Finnish radio broadcaster on Tuesday, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said: “We still have to evaluate the situation if it turns out that Sweden’s application is stalling for a long time to come.”
Haavisto said that proceeding with the joint application remained the first option. He nevertheless added that other routes would be considered if Sweden’s NATO application became stuck in the long run.
The Finnish minister added that he didn’t expect Turkey to make a decision on the NATO membership bid before it holds its presidential election, slated for May 14.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom reacted to his Finnish…
