STOCKHOLM – Finland almost certainly will apply to NATO membership, Sweden’s Foreign Ministry Ann Linde (NYSE ) stated on Sunday.

Both Sweden and Finland have had to reexamine their beliefs about military neutrality after Russia invaded Ukraine.

“We are more certain than not that Finland will apply to NATO membership. That would change the balance. Linde said that if any of our countries joined, tensions would rise,” Linde explained to SVT.

Linde answered the question “Do you think Finland will join NATO?”

“I’m sure you can affirm that.”

Sweden and Finland both expected to decide in the coming weeks whether they want to join NATO’s military alliance.

Pekka Haisto, Finland’s Foreign Minister, said Friday that he wanted similar decisions to be made by Sweden and Finland at the same moment.