France, Germany fully support Finland's choice to join NATO

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According to his office, French President Emmanuel Macron supports Finland's desire to join NATO following the war in Ukraine.

Finland's President and Prime Minister stated on Thursday that they are in favor of joining NATO, and a formal decision will be taken this weekend.

The Kremlin immediately responded to the announcement, saying Finnish membership in NATO was "definitely" a threat to Russia.

Neighbouring Sweden, which like Finland has been military non-aligned for decades, is also expected to announce its decision in the coming days, very likely at a meeting on Sunday of Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's Social Democratic Party.

Following a telephone conversation between Macron and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, the Elysee Palace stated that "the president said France fully supports Finland's sovereign choice to rapidly join NATO."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged his support to Niinisto on his quest to join NATO, according to the German government following a phone call with both leaders.

According to the statement, "The discussion focused on the security situation in Europe as a result of Russia's aggressive war in Ukraine and the issue of Finland's accession to NATO. Chancellor Scholz welcomed today's statements by the President and Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin, in which they advocate the immediate entry of their country into NATO, and assured Finland of the federal government's full support along this way."