abc.net.au – By Lucy Sweeney and Lucia Stein
When Finland’s Prime Minister, Sanna Marin, and Sweden’s leader, Magdalena Andersson, met for a key press conference in April, it became a defining moment for both countries.
For decades, Finland and Sweden had clung to their non-militarily-aligned status, pursuing close ties with Europe, while maintaining a cordial relationship with their eastern neighbour, Russia. But the war in Ukraine changed everything.
While Ms Marin refused to give any kind of timetable on the decision at the time, she hinted at the press conference that Finland’s bid would happen “quite fast”.
Her prediction came true. Within a month, the proposal was before Finland’s parliament and signed off, and this week the full membership of NATO agreed to formally invite both countries to officially join the alliance.
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