HELSINKI, (Reuters) – Finland will apply for NATO membership in May 12th. Iltalehti, citing unnamed government sources, reported that the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti had published this report late Sunday.

Two steps will take place on the day of the decision, according to The Paper. First, Sauli Niinisto, Finnish president, announces that he approves the Nordic country to join the Western defense alliance. Next, parliamentary groups vote their support, it was reported.

Russia’s invasion in Ukraine has forced Finland and Sweden into the position of applying to NATO membership. This is despite their belief for many decades that it was better for peace to not choose sides publicly.

Reuters could not verify Iltalehti’s details immediately.

The constitution of Finland stipulates that the President leads the foreign and security policies in Finland with cooperation from the Government.

After the first announcements from the President of Canada and the Parliament, the newspaper reported that the decision would be confirmed by the President with the key ministers in the government.

Russia and Finland share a border of 1,300 km (810 miles) and have a history of war. Russia has also warned that it could deploy hypersonic missiles and nuclear weapons in the Kaliningrad, its Baltic coast enclave, if Sweden and Finland decide to join NATO.