By Anne Kauranen and Johan Ahlander

HELSINKI/STOCKHOLM – Since Russia invaded Ukraine in April, Finland, Sweden and other countries have considered applying to NATO. This would be a big policy shift for the Nordics.

This is the most recent information about the process, and some key points to be discussed:

WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO SUSPEND?

These are critical days. The next days are crucial. Iltalehti newspaper reported Sunday that Finland would apply for NATO membership on May 12.

Iltalehti stated that the approval would take place in two parts. After President Sauli Niinisto had announced his support for Finland’s membership, the approval of the parliamentary group would follow.

Parliament would not have a plenary vote without parliamentary leaders who express the decisions of their respective groups.

Reuters could not confirm this report immediately.

Sweden’s parliament has begun a review of its security policies, which includes the pros and cons for joining NATO. The results are expected to be available by May 13. The majority of Parliament supports NATO membership.

Parallel to this, Social Democrats (the largest party in all elections for 100 years) will hold an internal discussion on May 9-12 about whether or not to withdraw long-standing opposition from NATO membership. The party leadership must make a decision no later than May 24.

Sweden will likely apply if Finland does so, since it doesn’t want to be the only Nordic outsider. As founding members of the pact, other Nordic countries such as Norway, Denmark, and Iceland have also joined. Numerous polls have shown that Swedes favor the agreement, something not seen since Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.

DO YOU HAVE ANY STICKING POINTS

Finland and Sweden want to be certain that NATO members nations will defend them in any period of transition, during which they could apply for membership, but not yet.

NATO diplomats estimate that ratification may take up to one year as all of the NATO countries’ parliaments must approve any new members.

NATO-Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said the countries could join “quickly” and that he was sure arrangements could be found for the interim period.

According to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, the United States and Britain promised Sweden an increase in military presence and more detailed military exercises during any NATO application process.

Pekka Haavisto, Finnish Foreign Minister, acknowledged that filing an application for membership would not automatically bring both Nordic countries within NATO’s Article 5. Article 5 guarantees that any attack against one ally will be an attack upon all.

Haavisto added that NATO member countries want to make sure that security breaches do not occur during the application process. Haavisto also stated that Finland could host enhanced military exercises alongside NATO members.

RUSSIA: WHAT DO YOU SAY?

Moscow repeatedly warned against “serious consequences,” if Finland or Sweden joined NATO. Moscow said it would have the Baltic Sea’s land, naval, and air forces strengthened and could consider deploying nuclear weapons.

Russia and Finland share an 1,300 km (810 mile) border. The Kola Peninsula, Russia’s “strategic bastion”, is home to the Russian Northern Fleet. St. Petersburg is Russia’s second largest city and is located about 170km from Finland’s border.